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

The question was, had they set it up while he was out of town, and then set off the alarm once they knew he was back, or had it all been done within the last few hours.


Either way, there was one thing he had to do the first thing in the morning—let Ginna know. The last thing he wanted was for Theo, and her, to be here the next time the person decided to play their game. Especially if they decided to escalate it.


Vance was relieved when Ginna appeared at the café alone. “You left Theo with Bessie as I asked?” he said the moment she slid into the booth.


“Yes. She’s taking him to work with her.”


His lips turned up in a small grin. “That should be interesting.”


Ginna nodded. “We figured it just seemed safer than his going with her boys to their day camp, since you didn’t go into detail when you called.”


“Sorry, but right now I’m being more than cautious, even over the phone.” He went on to tell her exactly what had happened.


Chapter 106