Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 612

Chapter 612

Gwen’s POV

Arriving at the estate with part of my family felt surreal in a way I couldn’t fully process.

Two cars made their way up the gravel road. I was driving the first, with Mia in the passenger seat and Zoey in the back. In the second car, Christian was driving with Dante beside him.

“You need to breathe,” Zoey said, leaning forward between the front seats. “You’re so tense you look like a violin string about to snap.”

“I’m not tense,” I lied, keeping my eyes locked on the road.

“Your hands are white,” Mia pointed out, nodding toward the steering wheel. “From gripping it so hard. You’re going to rip it off.”

I forced my fingers to loosen, one by one, feeling the blood flow back.

“It’s important,” I admitted finally. “I need this to go well. I need you to like him. Especially Christian. I need him to feel comfortable. And I need no one to say anything they shouldn’t.”

“It’ll be fine,” Zoey assured me with her usual unshakable confidence. “Nick is obviously crazy about you. Seriously, what could possibly go wrong?”

‘So many things,’ I thought darkly.

But I didn’t say that out loud.

I pulled up in front of the main house and turned off the engine. Christian parked right behind us, kicking up a light cloud of dust.

Nick was waiting at the entrance, leaning casually against the doorframe. Martina stood beside him. Bella was practically vibrating with excitement on the steps, bouncing from one foot to the other.

“Gwen!” Bella shouted, unable to hold it in for even one more second, running toward me with her arms wide open.

I scooped her up, spinning once before setting her back down.

“Hi, sweetheart! Have you behaved all week?”

“Kind of,” she admitted honestly, making me laugh.

Nick stepped closer. His movements were confident, but there was a flicker of nerves in his eyes. He gave me a quick kiss.

“Ready for this?” he asked softly, just for me.

“As ready as I’m going to be,” I said truthfully,

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closing doors and walking over.

“Mia, Dante,” I said, gesturing toward them, “you’ve already met Nick, of course.”

Mia waved with her warm, genuine smile.

“Hi again,” she said. “Good to see you under less stressful circumstances than last time.”

Dante stepped up to Nick and shook his hand with deliberate firmness.

“Good to see you again,” Dante said. “Definitely prefer it when no one needs rescuing in the middle of a snowstorm.”

Nick laughed, visibly relaxing.

“I completely agree,” he said.

“And this,” I continued, gently pulling Zoey forward, “is my sister-in-law, Zoey. And my brother, Christian. By an incredible coincidence, they just happened to be visiting Valentia this week.”

Christian extended his hand, gripping Nick’s with the firm, assessing handshake I knew so well.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person,” my brother said, his voice carrying weight. “Gwen talks about you a lot. Constantly, actually.”

“The pleasure’s mine,” Nick replied, holding his gaze steadily.

“And I need to thank you. For everything you and your family did for my sister when she was completely vulnerable and lost.”

Nick nodded, clearly moved, his shoulders easing slightly.

Zoey stepped forward next, offering her hand with her usual vibrant energy.

“Zoey,” she introduced herself unnecessarily. “Very nice to meet the man who has this one completely enchanted.”

“Zoey,” I warned.

“What?” she shrugged innocently. “It’s true.”

Nick smiled, clearly flattered and a little embarrassed.

“I hope I’m doing a decent job,” he said modestly,

“You’re doing an exceptional job,” Zoey assured him with emphasis.

Martina came down the front steps, wiping her hands on her floral apron even though they were already spotless.

“Welcome, welcome!” she said warmly. “What a joy to have all of you here with us!”

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I made the formal introductions, watching as Martina hugged each of them like long-lost relatives instead of strangers meeting for the first time.

“The house is absolutely beautiful,” Zoey said sincerely, looking around. “And that incredible smell coming from the kitchen… my God. What are you making?”

“It’s a family recipe passed down through generations. I hope you enjoy it,” Martina replied, pride shining in her eyes.

“If it tastes half as good as it smells, it’ll be perfect,” Zoey promised.

Christian observed everything with that quiet, analytical attention that defined him. His eyes scanned the property, the house, the maintenance details, evaluating without appearing to evaluate.

Paula appeared in the doorway, watching the group with her usual slightly skeptical, protective expression.

Her eyes met Dante’s.

He smiled. That devastating, charming smile that seemed to work on every woman on the planet.

Paula rolled her eyes dramatically and disappeared back inside.

Dante chuckled beside me, clearly entertained.

Mia swatted his arm.

“Behave,” she ordered. “We’re here for Gwen. Not for you to flirt with the staff.”

“I’m behaving perfectly,” Dante protested.

Bella, who had been half-hidden behind her father’s legs watching everything with wide eyes, finally stepped forward.

“This,” I said, crouching to her level, “is Bella. Sweetheart, these are my cousins Mia and Dante, and my brother Christian and my sister-in-law Zoey.”

“Hi,” Bella said shyly, almost whispering.

Zoey crouched down too, meeting her at eye level.

“Hi, sweetheart,” she said gently. “What a beautiful hairstyle. Who did that gorgeous braid?”

Bella automatically touched her hair, smiling a little.

“Gwen taught me,” she said proudly. “It’s hard but I can do it by myself now.”

“Really?” Zoey said, impressed. “That’s amazing. I can’t even do one properly on myself.”

“I can teach you,” Bella offered generously,

“Then we have a deal. You teach me how to braid, and I’ll teach you how to make… chocolate fudge. Do

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you know what that is?”

Bella shook her head, curious.

“It’s a really yummy Verdanian sweet,” Zoey explained. “Chocolate and condensed milk. You’ll love it.”

“Yay!” Bella agreed excitedly.

“Well,” Martina announced, clapping her hands to gather attention, “let me take all of you to your rooms so you can settle in before dinner.”

Everyone started grabbing luggage from the trunks. Christian and Zoey followed Martina inside, chatting about the trip. Mia and Dante behind them, Dante making some comment that made Mia laugh.

I was about to follow when I felt Nick’s hand lightly touch my arm.

“Gwen,” he said quietly. “Can I talk to you for a second? Just a quick minute?”

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