Horribly abused by his mother, Van eventually goes in search of his father. When he finds him, his life is radically changed. His father works for the FBI, and has contacts to a covert group, run by the Old Man, that goes after the worst of the worst criminals. Van is recruited to join both -- and does. Van handles every job he's sent on with cold efficiency, letting nothing stand in his way of gaining the information he seeks and stopping his foes. Eventually, he's offered a team of his own within the Old Man's organization. He accepts, with one caveat -- none of them can be female. Because of his mother, the only woman he has ever trusted is his handler, Makie. His attitude takes a hit when he meets Ginna, a cop, while on a job for the Old Man. When it's over, much to the shock of everyone involved, he requests that she be added to his team if she's willing -- which she is, as long as the organization can promise to keep her young son safe while she's on assignments. Ginna fits in well with the team, and though she is appalled at some of the tactics Van uses to gain information, she finds herself attracted to him. Can she break through the walls he's erected around his emotions? If so, then what? Only time will tell.

A Shattered Life

“What’s going on, Makie?” Fortier asked.


“Van’s father is in the hospital. He suffered a massive heart attack and isn’t expected to live through the night.”


“I take it you haven’t contacted Van.”


“No.” She sighed. “The last encrypted information I got from him said he was close to ending the job. He’s going to some sort of party being held by the man in charge and his partners.”


Fortier scrubbed a hand over his face, turning to look at someone out of Makie’s sight as he muted the sound. After what seemed like an eternity, he faced her again.


“I know this is going to sound cold, Makie, but Van knew going in that he’d have no contact with or information about family and friends until the job was done. Bringing down these predators is too important. I’m sorry, but you are not to contact him.”


“Yes sir,” Makie replied plaintively. “He’s going to hate us, you know.”


“Perhaps. But that’s part of our lives. We do what we have to do.”


Chapter 40