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

Ginna watched as, very slowly and carefully, Vance tried to explain to her son why some children ended up on the streets. As he did, Johnny and Jerry quietly came out of the house, sitting down beside them to listen, while Bessie stood in the doorway. Ginna inched her way past them to join her.


“He’s very good with them,” Bessie whispered. “I presume that’s Vance?”


“The one and only,” Ginna whispered back. “You’ve never met him?”


Bessie shook her head, grinning. “I’ve heard about him from Theo, a lot. And I know the name from some things my boss has said, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen him.”


Vance looked up just then, having finished answering the kids’ questions. “And I’ve heard about you,” he told Bessie as he stood and came to join them.


“Uh-oh, do I want to know?” Bessie seemed dismayed.


“Well, I heard about something you did at Phoenix and saw…” He sent Ginna a panicked look.


“You’re on your own on this one, Van,” Ginna told him, winking.


Chapter 105