Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 706

Nicks POV

When the social worker finished the sentence about the "current court order," something primal rose in me. An instinct to grab my daughter and disappear.

Martina made a soft, broken sound. Gwen went completely still, her hand resting over her stomach, like her body had absorbed the blow before her mind did. Bella was wrapped around my legs, her face buried in my pants like I was the only safe place left in the world.

I ran my hand through her hair slowly, repeating "I'm here" more for myself than for her, because I needed to remember I could still stand upright.

She lifted her tear-soaked face and looked at me with a clarity no child should have.

"I don't want to go," she whispered. The words hit me like something solid. The man with the folder shuffled his papers.

"Mr. Valemont-"

"I understand," I cut in, without raising my voice.

"I just need a minute." I crouched down to Bella's level.

"Princess..." I said, and it took everything in me not to let the word turn into desperation.

"Look at me." Her eyes were red, but steady.

"Do you remember what I told you yesterday?" I asked. She frowned, trying to follow.

"That...I didn't do anything wrong?" she guessed. I swallowed.

"That's right. You didn't do anything wrong for wanting to be with me. But you did put yourself in danger," I said, with as much gentleness and as little blame as I could manage.

trying to fix

tasted dirty. I looked at Cross. My hand clenched in the

say

voice even lower, "If you say no and walk out with her right now,

then they get an emergency order against you." My body went rigid. He didn't soften it "If you

good. When I opened them, Bella was staring at me like she expected me to flip the

like her presence was saying: I'm here with you, but

respond today," Cross

motion stay inside the law." I nodded once. It was the hardest movement of my life. The man with the folder cleared his throat, trying to reclaim control.

the transfer

already waiting in the garage."

"Daddy, please," she cried, the words breaking

actually hurt. I picked Bella

instantly, folding herself against

said to everyone, but really I was saying it to myself. The walk to the garage felt endless. Elevator. Hallway. Footsteps.

air was colder, thick with the smell of concrete and

called, voice soft and sweet.

in my shirt like I might vanish. Renee

she said gently.

"Mommy's here."

was bracing against an earthquake. The man with the folder spoke

now, like

didn't need to repeat himself. He just met my eyes and gave the smallest shake of his head. No.

I murmured. She sobbed against