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

Vance stopped, looking at him. “What did you see that we didn’t?”


“I know we’re looking for a woman but this guy, he’s real interested in you. But not, you know, like Davy said, hungry. Just watching.”


“He’s watching now?” His eyes flicked around the area as he checked out the various stagehands.


The kid nodded. “See the one by the door to your…” the kid looked down at his hands, moving one, and then said, “to your right.”


Vance glanced idly in that direction then back at the kid. “Blond, wearing a button-down and slacks? Doesn’t quite look like he belongs back here?”


“That’s the one, and he’s leaving.”


“Got it.” Vance watched the man sidle out of view and pulled out his cell, once again punching in a number. This time it was Robin’s. When he answered Vance said, “She’s still here,” and gave him the description of the man.


After hanging up he patted the kid’s shoulder. “You did good. Thanks.”


“That was her?” one of the others asked. “Aren’t you going to go after her?”


Chapter 67