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

“He’s stable, but it will be a while before I’m ready to release him,” the doctor told Rico. “I understand you’re married, so I’ll let the nurses know that you have full visiting privileges.”


Rico let out a heartfelt sigh of relief. “Thank you. Can I…?”


“Yes. I’ll take you to his room.”


A few minutes later Rico was looking down at his very pale but wide-awake husband. “We have to stop meeting like this,” he said, a small smile lighting his face.


“I agree.” Roger smiled back wanly and a bit more brightly after Rico leaned down and planted a hard kiss on his lips. “So when do I get sprung?”


“No clue, but hopefully soon. Although I’m telling you right now, when you are, you’re going straight…”


“The hell I am.” Roger glared at him, trying not to grin.


Rico couldn’t help it, he laughed. “Straight to the hotel, where you’re staying until we leave, you nut.”


Chapter 66