Page 161 of Guarded King

And then, with the barest shadow of a smile, he’s gone, striding down the street toward his town car. Until now, I hadn’t noticed it parked there. He could have stayed inside, stayed warm and dry while waiting for me. Instead, he sat out here in the rain.

More warmth spreads through me. Clutching the damp plastic wrapping protecting the magazine, I head inside. The need to know why Roman insisted I read hisForbesinterview is impossible to ignore. I was there when it was conducted; what could he possibly want me to learn?

After unlocking the door to the apartment, I call out for Dad or Carol, but there’s no answer.

I grab a paper towel to dry the dripping-wet plastic, then hurry to my bedroom. After changing out of my work clothes into yoga pants and a T-shirt, I sit cross-legged on my bed, heart racing as I pull out the magazine.

My chest tightens painfully as I study the close up of Roman’s face on the cover. God, he’s so incredibly gorgeous—those piercing eyes staring straight into the camera, the strong line of his jaw, the seductively masculine curve of his lips.

He’s so perfect it hurts.

Flipping through the pages, I find his interview. But when I take in the accompanying photo spread, my breath stalls.

There he is, standing with his back to the wall inside the foyer of King Plaza. With his hands resting casually in the pants pockets of his immaculately tailored charcoal suit, he exudes effortless confidence. And behind him, hanging in pride of place, is my father’s painting.

Dad’s vision of Manhattan waking up to a brand-new day.

With shaking hands, I start reading.

The article,Breaking the Mold: How Roman King is Redefining Success, begins with an overview of Roman’s rise to CEO and his father’s controversial legacy. I skim through the interview, already knowing the questions and answers.

But toward the end of the page, my eyes catch on an italicized note.

The next section of the interview was conducted at a later date following events that have significantly impacted Roman King and his leadership at the King Group. We revisited our conversation to capture his insights and reflections during this time.

My throat goes dry as I continue reading.

Interviewer: Thank you for speaking with us again, Roman. Following your father’s passing, how do you view the renewed scrutiny around his legacy and its impact on your leadership?

Roman: There’s no doubt my father’s legacy is a complicated one. It’s taught me valuable lessons—some through his successes, but mostly through his mistakes. Now, I’m focused on building something new: a company that values integrity and innovation as much as profits. We’re not erasing the past but using it to shape a better future.

I swallow hard, my fingers tightening on the magazine as the tension in my chest intensifies.

Interviewer: The media continues to draw parallels between you and your father. How do you respond to that?

Roman: Comparisons are unavoidable, but they miss the mark. I’ve learned from my father’s mistakes, and now I’m forging my own path. Transparency isn’t just about business—it’s about being honest in all areas of life. That’s how trust is built, and that’s what matters most to me. Success in business doesn’t have to come at the expense of personal values.

Interviewer: There’s been speculation about your personal life in the media recently. How do you respond to the scrutiny and balance personal matters with your leadership role?

Roman: Relationships, especially the meaningful ones, shape who we are. I’ve learned that trying to separate personal integrity from professional leadership is a mistake. The people we choose to have by our side influence our values and decisions in powerful ways. Yes, I’m in a relationship. While I prefer to keep the details private, for obvious reasons, I refuse to deny it—or its importance in my life. It’s a connection rooted in mutual respect and understanding, and it’s something I’m deeply grateful for.

A tremor runs through me. He didn’t just acknowledge our relationship—he claimed it publicly.

Interviewer: The painting behind you stands out. Why did you choose it as the backdrop for this interview?

Roman: It’s more than just a beautiful work of art. It symbolizes new beginnings and the possibilities they provide. Each new day is a chance to redefine ourselves, regardless of the mistakes and the challenges that have come before. This painting embodies the potential for transformation, a theme that I hope I, and the King Group, will continue to demonstrate.

Interviewer: So what does the future hold for you and the King Group?

Roman: Professionally, my goal is to steer our company into a future where we lead by example in sustainability and ethics. On a personal level, recent experiences have taught me the invaluable role of genuine human connections. Being true to myself and valuing those aroundme—I’d like to think that’s the truth of where my father and I differ.

Oh my God.

The magazine falls to my lap, and my heart almost bursts from my chest. He told the world about us—shining a light on our relationship for everyone to see. And he leased Dad’s painting, giving it pride of place in the King Group’s headquarters.

My head and heart are so full I can barely think. All I know is that I have to see him.

Right now.

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