Who is Ayesha Ryder? Her past is shrouded in mystery. Growing up Palestinian in the Gaza Strip, she witnessed unspeakable violence—which she learned to turn on others, with deadly efficiency.

Now a respected academic, Ayesha carries the legacy of her dark upbringing, and a skill set unlike any of her peers. Decades have passed since she last put those talents to use, but that doesn’t mean they’ve rusted with time, as a vicious assassin discovers when he tortures and murders the only man she ever loved. Desperate to claim vengeance—and uncover the truth—Ayesha must call upon every asset at her disposal: the connections of an international scholar, the street smarts of a refugee, and the lethal force of a ruthless commando.