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

He opened a cupboard over the washer and moved a large box of detergent. Behind it, in the corner, was a small button. After tapping it twice and then pausing before tapping it again, the back wall of the cupboard slid open to reveal two shelves holding various weapons. He took out two guns and a couple of knives, telling Ginna she was free to avail herself of anything there. Since she only had the one gun she’d brought with her, she chose two others and a knife, “Just in case.”


“You should be more than safe, as long as you keep King with you whenever you leave the house,” he told her as he headed to his bedroom to pack.


“I will, I promise. I hope he doesn’t mind the drive to the airport because I am taking you there.” When he looked askance at her wrist she said, “I can drive one-handed. I did when I rescued you from the bridge.”


“You don’t have to, I can call a cab.”


She shook her head. “I’m your designated driver until you get a new vehicle. Live with it.”


Chapter 112