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

The Old Man must have seen it in Van’s expression anyway, because he said quietly, “I’m sorry for your father’s death. If it had been possible, I would have seen to it personally that you were at his bedside when it happened.”


Van nodded. “But it wasn’t. I accept that—now.” He looked the man over, commenting, “Your nickname is misleading. You don’t look a day over…forty?”


“Thirty-eight, but who’s counting.” He paused, glancing at Makie, before saying, “Since you disagree with my nickname, Van, you should call me by my real one, which is Conleth. Con to the people I value highly within my organization.”


“I rate as one of them,” Vance asked in surprise.


“Indeed you do. You’ve earned my respect, and my trust. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person.” Con smiled wryly. “I’d offer to shake your hand but I’m well aware of your aversion to being touched.”


Chapter 47