With her standing in Roman society already on shaky ground, Fortunada must be careful with her reputation. After her faithless husband cast her aside and married another, the devoted mother of two wasn't eager to let another man fill her bed--until she met Baro, Rome's reigning gladiatorial champion. It's in his strong arms that she finds true pleasure and, to her delight, love. When her champion proposes marriage, pledging to make her family his own, it seems fate has finally smiled on Fortunada. But her fortune takes a turn when her former husband resurfaces, demanding to take their children as is his right. With Baro having already sacrificed his career for their love, throwing away his title in a bid to break free of his contract, how can she tell him that the price of her sacrifice--her children--is too high? Will love triumph, allowing Fortunada both her champion and her family, or must she walk away from the man who's given up all for her?