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

“Not at all. He needs you and you need him.” For a second she was afraid she’d said too much but she swept that aside. It was the truth, whether Vance thought so or not.


Surprisingly, Vance nodded. “I suppose I do,” he said softly. “I missed Theo after he left yesterday, Ginna. The house felt…empty. Usually that’s exactly the way I like it. But not then. Theo is something special and I…As long as you’ll allow it, I do want to be in his life.” A smile touched Vance’s lips. “His favorite uncle, only I’m not going to spoil him.”


With a quiet laugh she said, “I think you already have, Van, in your own way.” Suddenly she yawned, trying to cover it and failing miserably.


“I think that’s my signal to call a cab,” Vance said, chuckling.


“You don’t mind? I could drive you home. Once Theo’s down for the night nothing wakes him until morning, so I can put him in his car seat and he’ll be fine.”


Chapter 102