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

“On your feet,” one of the men ordered, his gun pointed squarely at Vance’s chest.


Vance started to comply, then seemed to stagger. His hand landed on the edge of the partly open drawer of the bedside table as he tried to stay erect. His gaze flicked briefly to the man closest to Rico, and Rico knew Vance had seen him. He nodded, while he waited to see what Vance would do next.


Vance’s hand lifted. He fired once, the tranquilizer dart hitting one man in the upper arm. Rico shot at the same moment, the dart from his gun entering his target in the buttocks. Almost before the men could react, Vance was on his feet. A strong uppercut had his man on the floor, but not before the man fired one shot. Rico used the butt of his gun to knock his man out.


Chapter 137