What do you think?
Rate this book
The Killough Company #3
The Assassin
Gabriel Mancini represents everything Ardan Murphy hates.
He’s disloyal.
Money hungry.
‘Honor’ isn’t a word he knows.
He is also too damn handsome for his own good.
When mob boss Sloan Killough finally gives Ardan permission to find and kill Mancini, the job isn’t as straightforward as he expects. Ardan’s never had a target quite like Mancini, and the ex-CIA agent always seems to be one step ahead of him.
When their game of cat and mouse turns into something more, their heated connection changes in ways neither expects, and their history becomes irrelevant. When enemies close in from both sides, Ardan and Gabriel must choose between their budding romance and the promises made to very dangerous men…
The Assassin is part of The Killough Company series. It’s best to read this book as part of this series to understand this story fully. Please read the trigger warnings before beginning The Assassin as this book is a dark romance.
He’s disloyal.
Money hungry.
‘Honor’ isn’t a word he knows.
He is also too damn handsome for his own good.
When mob boss Sloan Killough finally gives Ardan permission to find and kill Mancini, the job isn’t as straightforward as he expects. Ardan’s never had a target quite like Mancini, and the ex-CIA agent always seems to be one step ahead of him.
When their game of cat and mouse turns into something more, their heated connection changes in ways neither expects, and their history becomes irrelevant. When enemies close in from both sides, Ardan and Gabriel must choose between their budding romance and the promises made to very dangerous men…
The Assassin is part of The Killough Company series. It’s best to read this book as part of this series to understand this story fully. Please read the trigger warnings before beginning The Assassin as this book is a dark romance.
Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2020
118 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 27, 2020
Enjoyable third installment in this series.
I'm glad that after the end of this the author let us readers know we'll have more of these two, because the way this ended felt way too abrupt, relationship wise, and I would have given this a lower rating otherwise because of that abrupt ending. Nothing felt settled between these two, it felt like we were still in the middle of their story, to be honest, and we didn't get an "I love you" which is understandable because I feel like these two have barely started. So, I'm happy to know we're going to at least get one more book of these two, and that is the reason I have this four stars instead of less.
Because apart from the ending, this was enjoyable, and I felt the connection between these two more than I had Forrest and Rourke in the previous book. Still not as much as Sloan and Conall, who are still my fave couple of this series - and I'm so happy we're getting at least two more books with them. YAS - but I still enjoyed these two a lot.
I think the main issue for me is that we didn't get nearly enough with them, and I wanted more, was left wanting more.
This starts out with Ardan still not having successfully found Gabriel Mancini to take him out, who Ardan hates for betraying the man he worked for, which assassins do not do, according to Ardan (little does he know, Gabriel had a very good reason for doing what he did.)
Ardan asks for one more month from Sloan to find him and when it is granted, Ardan finds Gabriel in a small town in California, but they're in a biker club territory and the president doesn't want bloodshed in his city, so it is neutral territory.
While there, Ardan and Gabriel give into their scorching chemistry, and have wild, passionate hate sex - although it is more hate on Ardan's side, and more fun on Gabriel's side.
Then he leaves and Ardan tracks him down again, only to learn the truth. They grow closer after this learned truth.
Only, Gabriel has his own past, his own problems, and when it comes back to bite him in the ass, so to speak, he ends up needing some help that Ardan is willing to give.
There's a new Italian mob family wanting to take over the east coast, and Gabriel is caught in the crosshairs because of what he did a few years back with the Italian family in charge in NYC, who have a truce with the Killough Company.
This ends when Ardan is hurt by them, but of course he survives, and the ending promises more to come. It's not quite a cliffhanger, but it does leave a lot to be desired, because it feels like it ends abruptly and leaves the reader wanting more...so kind of close to a cliffhanger, in a sense.
So my main reason for giving this 4 stars is because even though I enjoyed these two, it felt like there wasn't enough and there wasn't enough relationship development for me to feel satisfied. At least, though, we're gonna get another book with these two.
Was also interesting to see that the next book will be Fionn and Daire...there was hints of these two, but I didn't know if we'd get a book with them. I'll be interested to read this - and to maybe get a better sense of Fionn and why he seems to hate Conall to much.
So overall, a good installment, and an interesting couple, but I felt like we were just getting started with these two, so no 5 star rating for me. Still good though, and I can't wait for more in this series. Two thumbs up from me!
I'm glad that after the end of this the author let us readers know we'll have more of these two, because the way this ended felt way too abrupt, relationship wise, and I would have given this a lower rating otherwise because of that abrupt ending. Nothing felt settled between these two, it felt like we were still in the middle of their story, to be honest, and we didn't get an "I love you" which is understandable because I feel like these two have barely started. So, I'm happy to know we're going to at least get one more book of these two, and that is the reason I have this four stars instead of less.
Because apart from the ending, this was enjoyable, and I felt the connection between these two more than I had Forrest and Rourke in the previous book. Still not as much as Sloan and Conall, who are still my fave couple of this series - and I'm so happy we're getting at least two more books with them. YAS - but I still enjoyed these two a lot.
I think the main issue for me is that we didn't get nearly enough with them, and I wanted more, was left wanting more.
This starts out with Ardan still not having successfully found Gabriel Mancini to take him out, who Ardan hates for betraying the man he worked for, which assassins do not do, according to Ardan (little does he know, Gabriel had a very good reason for doing what he did.)
Ardan asks for one more month from Sloan to find him and when it is granted, Ardan finds Gabriel in a small town in California, but they're in a biker club territory and the president doesn't want bloodshed in his city, so it is neutral territory.
While there, Ardan and Gabriel give into their scorching chemistry, and have wild, passionate hate sex - although it is more hate on Ardan's side, and more fun on Gabriel's side.
Then he leaves and Ardan tracks him down again, only to learn the truth. They grow closer after this learned truth.
Only, Gabriel has his own past, his own problems, and when it comes back to bite him in the ass, so to speak, he ends up needing some help that Ardan is willing to give.
There's a new Italian mob family wanting to take over the east coast, and Gabriel is caught in the crosshairs because of what he did a few years back with the Italian family in charge in NYC, who have a truce with the Killough Company.
This ends when Ardan is hurt by them, but of course he survives, and the ending promises more to come. It's not quite a cliffhanger, but it does leave a lot to be desired, because it feels like it ends abruptly and leaves the reader wanting more...so kind of close to a cliffhanger, in a sense.
So my main reason for giving this 4 stars is because even though I enjoyed these two, it felt like there wasn't enough and there wasn't enough relationship development for me to feel satisfied. At least, though, we're gonna get another book with these two.
Was also interesting to see that the next book will be Fionn and Daire...there was hints of these two, but I didn't know if we'd get a book with them. I'll be interested to read this - and to maybe get a better sense of Fionn and why he seems to hate Conall to much.
So overall, a good installment, and an interesting couple, but I felt like we were just getting started with these two, so no 5 star rating for me. Still good though, and I can't wait for more in this series. Two thumbs up from me!
September 8, 2020
This was an enemies to lovers book and when I say enemies I don't mean mere hate; these two men were actively trying to kill each other. Lol!
But as these things go, they realised things were not as they seemed and made it work. I will say that this book ended quite abruptly for my taste and even though it was a HFN, I would've preferred a more rounded end. I know they have another book coming out that might probably tie up all the lose ends here but it just left me hanging.
I will be continuing the series though; I have either liked or enjoyed every book so far! Can't wait for the others to be release :)
But as these things go, they realised things were not as they seemed and made it work. I will say that this book ended quite abruptly for my taste and even though it was a HFN, I would've preferred a more rounded end. I know they have another book coming out that might probably tie up all the lose ends here but it just left me hanging.
I will be continuing the series though; I have either liked or enjoyed every book so far! Can't wait for the others to be release :)
January 4, 2021
I've been watching Ardan lurk in a few of Gregory's books, and was thrilled to see him get a book of his own. The cat and mouse game between ardan and Gabe is fun, and the sex scenes steamy! Tack on the fact that you can tell the Author is setting us up for something big in the series and you've got a great read!
July 10, 2020
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2020/07/10/...
Rating: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Rating: 4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
June 30, 2020
More please
Love this series so much. Each book is like an episode of your favorite tv drama. The characters are all "bad guys" but they do it so well you can't help but root for them. Can't wait for the next book!
Love this series so much. Each book is like an episode of your favorite tv drama. The characters are all "bad guys" but they do it so well you can't help but root for them. Can't wait for the next book!
January 14, 2023
I actually after 2 attempts didn't finish this one.
Now, I really enjoy MD Gregory's writing and loved the other books in the Killough Company series.
But this one, just didn't click for me and after a bit of thought I realise I don't like the two main characters at all and a few of the supporting ones.
Arden and Gabriel not for me.
I may try again, but may just move to the, waiting for, next in this series.
Now, I really enjoy MD Gregory's writing and loved the other books in the Killough Company series.
But this one, just didn't click for me and after a bit of thought I realise I don't like the two main characters at all and a few of the supporting ones.
Arden and Gabriel not for me.
I may try again, but may just move to the, waiting for, next in this series.
Read
July 1, 2020I can't get over how much I loved the spy v. spy type of dynamic in this book. As always, I'm one of M.D.'s biggest fans! <3
If you are too, come visit us at Gregory and Brightly's Company of Kings on Facebook! See the newest releases as soon as they happen, and enjoy other book related shenanigans.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/compa...
<3
Ki
If you are too, come visit us at Gregory and Brightly's Company of Kings on Facebook! See the newest releases as soon as they happen, and enjoy other book related shenanigans.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/compa...
<3
Ki
March 25, 2023
Hottest chase!
A fun and eventful game of cat and mouse with plenty of lust, hate s*x and a bit of danger thrown in. This is a sexy story!
Linked to the other stories in this series (& world) we learn more about Killough's assassin and the fallout of the events in books 1 and 2.
This story is fast paced and sexy, full of lust and chemistry. Not as much thrill or intriguing as the other stories but still fun. The twist near the end shocked me but I loved the HFN ending.
The overarching story continues and is still not "resolved". I look forward to more in this series and these characters soon!!
A fun and eventful game of cat and mouse with plenty of lust, hate s*x and a bit of danger thrown in. This is a sexy story!
Linked to the other stories in this series (& world) we learn more about Killough's assassin and the fallout of the events in books 1 and 2.
This story is fast paced and sexy, full of lust and chemistry. Not as much thrill or intriguing as the other stories but still fun. The twist near the end shocked me but I loved the HFN ending.
The overarching story continues and is still not "resolved". I look forward to more in this series and these characters soon!!
October 8, 2024
The Assassin is book three in the Killough company series
This is your vibe if you like
Assassin/hitmen
Found family
Forced proximity
Mafia worlds
Ardan! This is a book I wanted! And I had a feeling it would be Gabe that would be his love interest. Not disappointed. Was a great read.
Now to patient but secretly impatiently wait for the next book in this series!
This is your vibe if you like
Assassin/hitmen
Found family
Forced proximity
Mafia worlds
Ardan! This is a book I wanted! And I had a feeling it would be Gabe that would be his love interest. Not disappointed. Was a great read.
Now to patient but secretly impatiently wait for the next book in this series!
January 22, 2022
4.7 stars
March 12, 2022
My favourite so far :)
July 14, 2022
so unrealistic how sentimental these hitmen are…
July 8, 2021
3.5 stars
I know I should have read the second book to keep up with the overarching storylines, but I didn't want to, so I skipped to this one. There were obviously some developments that I'd missed, but this was fine to read without reading the second book.
Overall, it was a pretty decent read, some enemies to lovers stuff going on. It really ramped up the inter-mob warring stuff - I probably missed some of the set up for this in the last book but whatever.
My main complaint is that it turns out this isn't a complete story for Gabe and Ardan. It ends before they're really together, not even really a HFN, just a partial story. I didn't know that going in, but the note at the back indicates future books for them. If that hadn't been there, I'd be very displeased with how abrupt the ending is. As is, I'm only mildly annoyed because I didn't know going in that it wasn't complete, so I'm rounding down on the rating.
I know I should have read the second book to keep up with the overarching storylines, but I didn't want to, so I skipped to this one. There were obviously some developments that I'd missed, but this was fine to read without reading the second book.
Overall, it was a pretty decent read, some enemies to lovers stuff going on. It really ramped up the inter-mob warring stuff - I probably missed some of the set up for this in the last book but whatever.
My main complaint is that it turns out this isn't a complete story for Gabe and Ardan. It ends before they're really together, not even really a HFN, just a partial story. I didn't know that going in, but the note at the back indicates future books for them. If that hadn't been there, I'd be very displeased with how abrupt the ending is. As is, I'm only mildly annoyed because I didn't know going in that it wasn't complete, so I'm rounding down on the rating.
September 20, 2020
Friends to enemies to lovers
This story follows two assassins, Murphy who works for Killough and Mancini who once worked for an Italian allied with Killough. Mancini and Murphy had worked together when they found themselves after the same target. Then Mancini betrayed his Italian boss and Murphy could not forgive that and sets out to kill him. After months of cat and mouse chasing Murphy finds out that Mancini had good reasons for his actions and they end up having angry, passionate sex. Everything gets very complicated with more mafia families going to war, lots of secrets, danger, and raw sex. A good read.
This story follows two assassins, Murphy who works for Killough and Mancini who once worked for an Italian allied with Killough. Mancini and Murphy had worked together when they found themselves after the same target. Then Mancini betrayed his Italian boss and Murphy could not forgive that and sets out to kill him. After months of cat and mouse chasing Murphy finds out that Mancini had good reasons for his actions and they end up having angry, passionate sex. Everything gets very complicated with more mafia families going to war, lots of secrets, danger, and raw sex. A good read.
November 12, 2020
Good
I don't know what it was with this book, but I didn't get as attached to Ardan and Gabriel asI have been with the men in the other books.
The hitman and the assassin in a deadly cat and mouse game finally gives in to temptation. I would have liked the tension and background they talk about shown in the book, but they certainly are a great match.
In the previous books I really liked Ardan and was very curious about him, but in his own book I wasn't as interested. By no means is it a bad book or a bad couple, I just wasn't feeling it.
I'm actually more interested in Kirby and want to know more about him.
I don't know what it was with this book, but I didn't get as attached to Ardan and Gabriel asI have been with the men in the other books.
The hitman and the assassin in a deadly cat and mouse game finally gives in to temptation. I would have liked the tension and background they talk about shown in the book, but they certainly are a great match.
In the previous books I really liked Ardan and was very curious about him, but in his own book I wasn't as interested. By no means is it a bad book or a bad couple, I just wasn't feeling it.
I'm actually more interested in Kirby and want to know more about him.
January 21, 2021
Smoking Hot
This 3rd book finds an Irish assassin, Ardan, and Italian hitman, Gabriel, playing cat and mouse all while denying their attraction to each other. As they attempt to "kill" each other, truths are uncovered and feelings get involved leaving them vulnerable to both their enemies and each other. They end up joining forces again and their sex is smoking hot. I loved Gabriel calling Ardan tesoro, treasure, in Italian. Of course Sloan and Conall are part of this continuing series. I highly recommend this series and can't wait for book 4. We have not seen the last of Ardan and Gabriel nor Sloan and Conall which makes me happy.
This 3rd book finds an Irish assassin, Ardan, and Italian hitman, Gabriel, playing cat and mouse all while denying their attraction to each other. As they attempt to "kill" each other, truths are uncovered and feelings get involved leaving them vulnerable to both their enemies and each other. They end up joining forces again and their sex is smoking hot. I loved Gabriel calling Ardan tesoro, treasure, in Italian. Of course Sloan and Conall are part of this continuing series. I highly recommend this series and can't wait for book 4. We have not seen the last of Ardan and Gabriel nor Sloan and Conall which makes me happy.
August 20, 2020
OMG I love this series. M.D Gregory knows how to write m/m mafia romance. It’s everything you think it would be with some twists and turns and some all out humour.
I’d have to say the first book in the series is my absolute favourite but this book and the second book were runners up.
This a unique enemies to lovers assassin story. Arden Chase and Gabriel Mancini. Both described as gorgeous dangerous men and well it just gets steamier from there. I won’t give the story away but I’ve loved reading it. A big thumbs up from me👍🔥
I’d have to say the first book in the series is my absolute favourite but this book and the second book were runners up.
This a unique enemies to lovers assassin story. Arden Chase and Gabriel Mancini. Both described as gorgeous dangerous men and well it just gets steamier from there. I won’t give the story away but I’ve loved reading it. A big thumbs up from me👍🔥
August 30, 2020
I like how in the other stories you see this hard a as person then they get their own story and BAM!!!
Listening to Ardan from other stories in this series you would think he was a top. Well you be wrong. Damn. Hard core bottom and enjoyed the crap out of it. No pun intended. The chase was fun to follow. How Gabriel was always a step ahead. I sort of feel like the Italian is smarter than the Irish. I think though that Ardan had to much wrapped up to be level headed about his true feelings. But then again I think Gabriel has had feeling for a long time for him also.
Listening to Ardan from other stories in this series you would think he was a top. Well you be wrong. Damn. Hard core bottom and enjoyed the crap out of it. No pun intended. The chase was fun to follow. How Gabriel was always a step ahead. I sort of feel like the Italian is smarter than the Irish. I think though that Ardan had to much wrapped up to be level headed about his true feelings. But then again I think Gabriel has had feeling for a long time for him also.
July 30, 2020
Instant one click
I have yet to read a book by m.d. Gregory that I didnt love. I couldn't wait to read about this assassin!
Ardan is so in control of himself and emotions, while Gabriel is in control but more relaxed. Makes for some seriously smexy hate s*x.
Ardan believes Gabriel has broken the code and must pay for it, so they spend some time playing cat and mouse.
Cant wait to see where else these guys go!
**BoyzClub review **
I have yet to read a book by m.d. Gregory that I didnt love. I couldn't wait to read about this assassin!
Ardan is so in control of himself and emotions, while Gabriel is in control but more relaxed. Makes for some seriously smexy hate s*x.
Ardan believes Gabriel has broken the code and must pay for it, so they spend some time playing cat and mouse.
Cant wait to see where else these guys go!
**BoyzClub review **
July 1, 2020
Great series!
I wizzes through this series and can’t wait to get my teeth into Ardan and Gabriel’s ending and how they handle the CIA! This series is action packed but equally romantic. The situation leave you breathless and wanting for more. It’s a side of the mob you’ll never see!
I wizzes through this series and can’t wait to get my teeth into Ardan and Gabriel’s ending and how they handle the CIA! This series is action packed but equally romantic. The situation leave you breathless and wanting for more. It’s a side of the mob you’ll never see!
February 17, 2021
I... LOVE.... THIS.... SERIES!
Ugh I hate how much I love this series. I squealed like a wee lass when I found out the Norse Lords are getting a series! And more Killough and Connal. I LOVE THEM! Ardan’s book was everything I hoped for and I’m so happy there are more books to come. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Ugh I hate how much I love this series. I squealed like a wee lass when I found out the Norse Lords are getting a series! And more Killough and Connal. I LOVE THEM! Ardan’s book was everything I hoped for and I’m so happy there are more books to come. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 4, 2024
This was quite a quick read. It could've been longer but I think there was enough relationship development and also more about other characters that it was just enough. Is the story HEA? No. More HFN. But do they care for each other? Yep. They are fierce, protective and loving. So I really enjoyed that one.
July 11, 2020
Two assassins hot and furious
Enjoyed reading this book about two assassins getting hot and furious at each other. The book covers a lot about loyalty, family, even between cold blooded assassins and mobsters. A cool and light hearted series!
Enjoyed reading this book about two assassins getting hot and furious at each other. The book covers a lot about loyalty, family, even between cold blooded assassins and mobsters. A cool and light hearted series!
July 15, 2021
Better and better in New Gothenburg
I just can’t get over how much better and more interesting things are getting in New Gothenburg. These intertwined series are marvelous reading and I can’t wait to read (and re read) more.
I just can’t get over how much better and more interesting things are getting in New Gothenburg. These intertwined series are marvelous reading and I can’t wait to read (and re read) more.
August 10, 2022
Not my favorite in the series only because my mind lost track of all the different bad people names and the actual plot (ADHD)
Howeever the two MCs together were hot and I really enjoy this authors writing style.
Howeever the two MCs together were hot and I really enjoy this authors writing style.
November 15, 2023
Assassins in love
I think this might be my favourite of the series so far . Ardan & Gabe we’re great the humour between them even when they were trying to kill each other was perfect.
I think this might be my favourite of the series so far . Ardan & Gabe we’re great the humour between them even when they were trying to kill each other was perfect.
July 31, 2025
Definitely better than the first two, enjoyed it a lot more.
Will not be continuing with the series though as I'm struggling with the very one sided sex scenes, and I'm ready for something different.
Will not be continuing with the series though as I'm struggling with the very one sided sex scenes, and I'm ready for something different.
October 9, 2020
Two mafia assassins bent on killing each other instead find happiness in each others arms. I'm afraid I had a hard time really taking this one seriously. I didn't feel much chemistry between the two and didn't believe much of the mafia goings on.
January 23, 2021
A brutal and erotic series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews