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

“I fell while trying to screw in a light bulb?”


“Uh huh. Looks more like someone did to you what you’ve been known to do to others, if you want my considered opinion.”


“Yeah, well…” Vance stared down at his meal and pushed it away. He was in New Orleans as per Makie’s orders. She’d told him in no uncertain terms he was to get some serious R&R in until the doctors deemed his shoulder back in full working order. And she’d put in a call to Rico to ask for his help, since he and Roger were friends of Vance’s, or as close to friends as anyone outside of Vance’s team could be.


Rather than push it for the moment Rico said, “Makie told me you’ve rented a house.”


“Yeah, short term. I’m not planning on staying here for long, but I wasn’t about to get stuck in some hotel, or next to noisy neighbors in an apartment building.”


“Can’t fault you for that. It’s why Rog and I bought a house. You know you’re welcome to stay in our spare bedroom if you want, save yourself some money.”


Chapter 83