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

Twenty minutes later, having taken a very circuitous route to his destination, he rapped on the back door of Roger and Rico’s new house.


“Just why are we feeding him?” Roger asked once they’d arrived home.


“Because we have to work with him for starters and because in a strange way, he’s a friend.”


“If that’s the truth you’re probably one of the few he’d call that from what I’ve heard,” Roger muttered. He was worried and as a result grumbly. He headed to the kitchen to see what they actually had they could throw together for a meal.


Reading his mood, Rico was two steps behind him. He stopped his husband before he could open the fridge, wrapping his arms around his waist as he asked, “What’s got you in a twist, now? Surely not the job since we’ve handled ones like this before often enough.”


Turning in Rico’s arms Roger nodded. “But not together like this.”


“Meaning what? We make a good team on a personal level so why should that change when it comes to a job?”


Chapter 49