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

That left Gambini unprotected, cowering like a dog against the bulkhead. Vance advanced to stand in front of him, a tight smile on his face. “I could kill you now, Signore Gambini,” he said softly, pressing one of his blades under Gambini’s trembling chin. “You’ve been responsible for the deaths of more people than anyone has a right to claim. I would greatly enjoy taking you apart piece by piece until you begged for death.”


“Van,” a quiet voice said from behind him, “don’t.”


Still keeping his eyes locked on Gambini, Vance replied, “I won’t. I suspect his own people will take care of him in their own time. He’s become more of a liability than an asset to them at this point. So, keep watch over your shoulder, Signore Gambini. The time is fast approaching when someone will put a knife in your back, either as punishment for your failures, or to remove an impediment to their own rise in the ranks.”


Chapter 94