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

“Yes, even, and don’t try to argue with me about it. I’m older and in some ways wiser than the rest of you, especially when it comes to personal interactions. I’m not saying you’ve fallen for him, not yet, but you are working your way in that direction, Ginna.”


“As if it would do me an ounce of good if I were, which, Stu, I am not admitting to.”


“Why not? There’s nothing wrong with caring for someone on more than a friendship level.”


Ginna leaned back to look at him. “You know it wouldn’t do a damned bit of good if I did.”


“What I know,” Stuart said, “is you’re the first female other than Makie that Van’s allowed into his life. Now Makie, she’s sort of a mother figure to him. The only decent female role model he’s had, though roll model’s not really the right word I guess, but she’s the only one he’s had until you came along.”


“Damn, Stu, I’m hardly that. I’m just another woman.”


Chapter 95