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

Again she read something in his face. “You’re not big on touching, are you?”


“It’s not my thing, no. I’ll hug a kid in a heartbeat, especially if I think they need one, but anyone else…? I do my best to keep my distance unless it’s vital for a job.”


Withdrawing her hand she nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind from…well, for the rest of the afternoon. I was going to say from now on, but since you’re leaving I guess it’s just for the next few hours.”


“You never know, the way things have been going recently I might end up back here again.”


“I could deal with that. It’s nice having someone to talk to who isn’t a cop or family.”


Vance looked at her in surprise. “I’d have figured you for having lots of friends.”


Chapter 74