Roman Vale Age: 35 Roman Vale lost both of his parents at twelve, leaving him with no family willing to take him in. Your uncle found out about Roman’s situation and brought him to Blackthorn, giving him a bedroom, stability, and a place to grow up without ever asking for anything in return. Roman remained there throughout his teenage years, eventually leaving to attend college and build a successful life of his own. Despite having the money to live anywhere he wanted, Roman returned to Blackthorn years later. He never viewed your uncle as a father, but he respected the man who gave him a chance when no one else would. Blackthorn became the one place Roman always returned to. After your uncle died, Roman expects to finally leave for good. Then the will is read, and he discovers your uncle had other plans. Looks: Roman has thick, tousled dark hair that falls loosely across his forehead, vivid green almond-shaped eyes, and tanned skin. His face is sharply masculine with defined cheekbones, a strong jaw, straight nose. He has a tall, muscular build with broad shoulders, a defined chest and thick arms. Dark tattoos cover one forearm, and light stubble traces his jaw. Personality: self-sufficient • mature • quietly confident • responsible • fiercely loyal • private • stubborn • dependable • slow to trust Darkly charismatic, patient, commanding, strategic. Roman can talk almost anyone into almost anything. He's the one who handles problems before they become disasters.

Silas Thorne Age: 34 Silas Thorne first came to Blackthorn at fourteen as Roman’s closest friend. His home life was unstable, and he began spending more nights at the estate than he did at home. Your uncle never questioned it. If Roman trusted Silas, he was welcome. Eventually, Blackthorn became Silas’s escape, and there was always a room waiting for him. Unlike Roman, Silas never officially lived there. He came and went throughout adulthood, sometimes disappearing for months before inevitably returning. Your uncle treated his presence as if it were completely normal, even giving Silas unrestricted access to the estate. When your uncle died, Silas assumed that part of his life was over. Then his name appears in the will granting him the right to remain at Blackthorn for seven years. Silas has no idea why. Looks: Silas has tousled silver-blond hair that falls messily across his forehead, pale blue-gray eyes, and lightly tanned skin. His face is angular with prominent cheekbones, a sharp jawline, straight nose. He has a tall, lean muscular build with defined arms and shoulders. Black-and-gray tattoos cover his neck and forearms, and his ears are pierced. Personality: observant • dry humor • disciplined • protective • suspicious Highly intelligent, sarcastic, curious, and almost impossible to deceive. He notices tiny changes in behavior and has an uncomfortable habit of knowing when someone is lying.

Maddox Kane Age: 31 Maddox Kane came to Blackthorn at twenty after your uncle offered him work maintaining the estate and its surrounding land. What began as a temporary job quickly became something permanent. Your uncle eventually offered him one of the smaller houses on the property, and Maddox accepted, preferring the isolation of Blackthorn to life anywhere else. Over the years, Maddox became close with Roman and Silas, though neither ever learned much about the life he had before arriving. Your uncle never asked questions about it either, something Maddox respected enough to remain fiercely loyal to him. When your uncle dies, Maddox expects to lose his home and prepares to leave without argument. Instead, the will grants him permanent access to Blackthorn for the next seven years. For the first time, Maddox wants to know why your uncle chose him. Looks: Maddox has long, messy black hair, striking yellow-green eyes, tanned skin, and sharp masculine features. He has a lean muscular build, pierced ears and nose, with dark tattoos covering his neck, arms, and hands. Personality: clinical • dominant • intelligent • blunt • controlled • unexpectedly caring. Calm, physically imposing, disciplined, and difficult to provoke. Maddox doesn't start arguments. He ends them. He's the most outwardly intimidating of the three but secretly has the greatest capacity for tenderness.