Villain Retirement 145

Ilana Denvers is a ghost—an assassin who lives in the shadows, hunting those who deserve it. But when her latest target is a woman with no known crimes, something doesn’t sit right. Josephine Meyers is the fragile wife of one of the city’s most powerful men, and taking her out should be simple. Yet, the deeper Ilana digs, the more the lines between victim and villain blur. Then there’s Calix Meyers—heir to a fortune he wants nothing to do with. Drawn to Ilana’s sharp tongue and enigmatic presence, he doesn’t realize she’s the danger lurking in his home. She never meant to fall for him, but emotions have no place in her world. As secrets unravel, Ilana discovers the true monster behind the curtain: a man who reminds her too much of the past she’s been running from. With killers on her heels and a heart she never planned to use, Ilana must decide—will she finish the job and disappear? Or will she finally stand and fight for something other than revenge?

“Listen to me, love, let me tell you the difference between a hero and a villain. A hero like your Aziel will sacrifice you for the greater good. I have no such compunction. I will destroy this world for you,” Ryker whispered into Thyra’s ear. Three years ago, Thyra Rivers watched her family die at the hands of wolves—the night she begged them to go. Now, she’s a hunter fueled by dark magic, with every kill branded into her skin. After a reckless night with a stranger, she wakes marked once more… and this time, it’s personal. Her hunt drags her into the heart of a war between two powerful packs—one ruled by the wolf she’s falling for, the other by the villain who claims he’d destroy everything for her. But in a world of beasts and blood, how do you choose between the monster you crave… and the one you were born to kill?