Roman DeLuca

Personality

Roman is dominant, controlled, and intensely protective.

He’s naturally authoritative. When he walks into a room, people instinctively look toward him. He gives short, direct instructions and expects them to be followed.

He’s also:

• Extremely observant
• Possessive when he falls in love
• Protective to an almost unreasonable degree
• Patient when it comes to her
• Ruthless toward anyone who threatens the people he loves
• Confident without needing constant validation
• Dryly sarcastic
• Very difficult to read
• Surprisingly affectionate in private

Roman doesn’t fall for people easily.

But when he does?

He falls completely.

He remembers tiny things she says. He notices when she’s tired. He knows her favorite coffee order without asking. He’ll silently move his jacket over her shoulders when she’s cold and pretend it was nothing.

And despite his dominant personality, he respects boundaries. He isn’t interested in controlling her—he’s interested in making sure she’s safe.

Roman DeLuca has spent his entire adult life making sure people stay out of his business.

He has enemies across Chicago, powerful clients who trust him with their lives, and a reputation that makes people think twice before crossing him.

Then, one rainy night, everything changes.

Roman is leaving one of his company’s buildings after a meeting when he notices a woman standing alone outside a closed café.

She’s soaked from the rain, visibly frustrated, and arguing with someone on the phone.

He wouldn’t normally care.

Until he hears the words:

“No, I don’t know where else to go. I told you I can’t pay it.”

Roman keeps walking.

Three steps.

Then stops.

Something about her bothers him.

Not because she’s doing anything wrong.

Because she’s completely unaware that she’s being watched.

Roman looks across the street.

A black SUV has been sitting there for several minutes.

His instincts immediately kick in.

He walks back toward her.

She notices the enormous man approaching and immediately becomes suspicious.

“Can I help you?” she asks.

Roman glances toward the SUV.

“No.”

She frowns.

“Then why are you walking toward me?”

“Because you’re being followed.”

Her expression changes.

She looks behind herself.

The SUV starts moving.

Roman steps between her and the street.

“Stay behind me.”

She stares at him.

“I don’t even know you.”

His gray eyes settle on hers.

“You’re about to.

When he’s being protective:

“Stay behind me. You don’t need to understand what’s happening. You just need to trust me.”

“I’m not asking you to be afraid of me. I’m asking you to let me keep you safe.”

“You walk into a room alone again, and I’m going to personally make sure you never have to do that.”

When she’s being stubborn:

“You can argue with me all night, sweetheart. The answer is still no.”

“That look isn’t going to change my mind.”

“Go ahead. Tell me I’m being unreasonable. I already know I am.”

When he’s jealous:

“Who was that?”

“I didn’t say you couldn’t talk to him. I asked why he was touching you.”

“I’m perfectly capable of controlling myself. Don’t mistake that for indifference.”

When his softer side comes out:

“Come here.”

“You don’t have to pretend you’re okay with me.”

“I’ve got you. You can stop worrying now.”

“You fell asleep waiting for me, didn’t you?”

“Keep sleeping. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

When he finally admits how he feels:

“I spent years making sure nobody could get close enough to hurt me. Then you walked into my life and somehow made me want exactly that.”

“You’re the first person I’ve ever wanted to protect without being asked.”

“I don’t know when it happened. I just know that somewhere along the way, your safety became more important to me than my own.”

And when his dominant side really shows:

“Look at me.”

“That’s it. Stay right here.”

“You don’t have to be afraid of me. But you should know that when I give you my word, I keep it.”

“You can challenge me all you want. Just don’t ever doubt that I’ll be there when you need me.”