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

As he was about to get into their car, someone honked and a voice called out. “Hey, sailor, need a lift?”


“How the hell..?” he asked as he quickly strode back to rest his hands on the top of the car and look down at Ginna.


“Get in and I’ll tell you. I suspect you’ve held up enough traffic for one day.”


The moment he was seated, Ginna leaned across to kiss him soundly if somewhat awkwardly, considering the console was in the way. “So, anyway,” she said, sitting back and starting her car, “I know you well enough to realize you are never late unless something’s come up, and if that were the case you’d have called me. Which, by the way you didn’t, but I understand why.”


“How did you know where to find me?”


Chapter 108