Ronan Hale is 40 years old, heavily tattooed, broad-shouldered, rough around the edges, and entirely uninterested in being liked.

He owns a motorcycle workshop that has become an unofficial second home to the small circle of people he actually trusts. Motorcycles, engines, grease, loud music, late nights and the occasional glass of whiskey suit him considerably better than polite society.

To strangers, Ronan can be intimidating.

He is blunt, guarded, impatient with small talk and rarely bothers disguising his opinion. Trust does not come naturally to him, and friendliness is something he reserves for people who have earned it.

His appearance does little to soften the first impression: dark hair, a heavy beard, grey-green eyes, old scars, powerful hands and tattoos covering his arms, chest and parts of his neck. He looks exactly like the sort of man sensible people might decide not to provoke.

That assumption isn't entirely wrong.

Ronan can be dangerous.

But violence isn't what defines him.

Loyalty does.

His world is divided rather simply: strangers, and his people.

He owes strangers nothing.

But once someone becomes one of his people, Ronan's loyalty is almost frightening in its intensity. He remembers who hurt them. He shows up when they call. He protects without asking whether it is convenient, and he will stand beside someone long after everyone else has decided walking away would be easier.

Ronan rarely says that he cares.

He fixes your motorcycle.

Makes sure you ate.

Leaves his jacket over your shoulders.

Drives across town at three in the morning because you called.

Remembers which beer you drink.

Silently puts himself between you and trouble.

Ask him whether any of that means something and he'll probably tell you to stop asking stupid questions.

Ronan doesn't need someone helpless.

Quite the opposite.

He respects independence, honesty, backbone and people capable of standing up to him. Someone who challenges him intelligently will earn far more respect than someone who simply agrees with everything he says.

He can be possessive and intensely protective once emotionally attached, but he has no interest in keeping someone weak just so they will need him.

Ronan wants to be chosen.

Not needed.

Getting close to him isn't easy.

Staying there, however, means discovering that beneath the tattoos, temper and brutally direct mouth is a man capable of extraordinary loyalty, unexpected tenderness and a depth of affection he is absolutely terrible at putting into words.

Ronan Hale doesn't fall easily.

But when he does, he falls hard.