When love defies power

Her phone vibrated violently in her apron pocket, and when she saw Liam's n

never called her

ffee pot and swiped

th panic. "It's Mom. She collapsed-I got h

gistered before she

n, her manager calling after her, but she didn't stop.

tched as she stepped inside and saw her mother lying on the bed, pale and motionless. Liam sat at her b

ipping through a chart. He looked up when

her da

fly. "Yes. What's

kidney disease. She was diagnosed some time ago, but she hasn't been keepin

you mean, she hasn't been getting treatmen

, but without consistent dialysis, her kidneys are failing. If we

h beside her. Elena felt the

something out

wing look. "I assume fina

t tightened,

r," he said. "But dialysis isn't cheap, and long-term tre

d a payment plan? That was laughable. S

epping out. As soon as the door closed, Liam tu

aid suddenly. "A part-

n. He should be worried about school, not about wh

rmly. "You need t

ause we're behind on tuition." His voice wavere

ched into fist

, their mother was deteriorating, and now her brother wa

ldn't let t

le it," sh

r a doubtful

se she already knew the

. The numbers on the screen were pitiful. She barely had enough to cover

ed through her contacts. There was

le

ing in the doorway. Her best fri

"Please, Sarah. Just enough to get throug

shing across her face. "El

stomac

ued. "But I've been helping as much as I ca

mp in her throat. "The

"You know sh

nyway, marching straight to her manag

said, rubbing her temples. "But I can't

he trudged back to the break room, collaps

option left," Sa

ooked u

ah pressed. "Ca

stomach churn. But wha

out you anymore. Your mom needs treatment. Liam needs to stay in school

wallowe

Sarah w

out the business card Xander had

g once

ooth, deep v

le

prised he knew

ipping the phone tighte

"Come to Wolfe Enterp

ne wen

rises, the towering glass building reflecting the

reath, she st

oyees in tailored suits moved about, some sparing h

nder Wolfe," she to

ore picking up the phone. A few sec

. When the doors slid open, Xander's ass

r Wolfe's assistant". She nodded, "Hi Jorda

the heavy glass doors, he stepped aside, revealing Xander Wolf's office vast, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the c

hroat. "Mr. Wolfe, M

ever, dressed in a crisp black suit,

came," he s

have yo

oulders. "I need an advan

ut there was no surprise in

d. "Just l

offered you the job if I di

. "What exactly do

her, picked up a folde

ule, manage my meetings, accompany me to events when necessary, and e

t assistant?" She tilted her head. He

and unreadable. "Jordan is more than just an assistant, he's like a brother, my right hand. He handles the

lder. The salary made her breath hitch. It

closely. "Is th

p at him, he

nto his world and ther