Page 22 of Yes! Professor Hendrix
Chapter Ten
Nolan Hendrix
I was still boiling inside as I watched my girls pack a few things to come with me. I ain’t letting them stay here for another damn minute. When Marisa hit my phone, FaceTiming me from her Ipad, everything in me started to worry. I could feel something was wrong. When she told me what was happening I didn’t hesitate for a second. I hopped into my car. Seeing how that bastard was handling my girls made me lose it. If Lena hadn’t called me off, I would’ve lost my shit and fucking killed him.
I felt guilty as fuck because I had let her leave with that man. I should’ve insisted on bringing her home. But I had been too hurt to move and too afraid she’d push me away further if I forced it. But now that I was there, I knew I wouldn’t fail to protect her and our daughter again. Fuck, I had never been that scared, not until I saw my baby girl in tears, begging me to comefast and save her mom. She didn’t feel safe and neither did Lena. I swore to God, that nigga wasn’t gonna walk away with just a simple ass whooping. Feeling all that fear made me realize how much my heart already belonged to my girls. I didn’t know if I’d survive it if anything ever happened to them.
I took my phone and dialed Silas’s number.
“Whatsup, bruh? You missing a nigga?”
“I ain’t missing your stupid ass. Listen, I need you to help with something.”
I explained what went down at Lena’s place before I arrived and let him know what I wanted. I already knew all I needed to about that punk prick. I’d been closely monitoring everything around my future wife and daughter before I made my move. I knew that nigga could become a huge problem the second I stepped into Lena’s life. But this stupid shit he pulled today? It just made him dig his own grave.
“I got you,” Silas said.
“Thanks, man.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I see that Miss Morrow is carved deep in that stone heart of yours. When are we getting the honor of meeting Lady Hendrix? You afraid she’ll leave your ass for someone better? She might like more mature men like me.”
Silas was seven years older than me, but we were so close you couldn’t feel the age gap—unless you noticed his hair and beard already streaked white at forty-two. We’ve had each other’s backs ever since we lost our parents in an accident when we were kids.
Silas and I didn’t share the same mom. His mother died giving birth to him, and a few years later Pop married my mom—then she had me. My mom took Silas in as her own, raising us side by side without a hint of favoritism. Sure, we looked different—his skin a deep chocolate, mine a light caramel—but we were siblings in every sense, always looking out for each other.
And when our parent was gone, somehow, he became the only father I ever knew. He taught me everything and guided my every move; handled my finances, then showed me how to make real money until I didn’t need a job anymore. He was my family, and I couldn’t wait for him to meet my girls.
“Las, please. You ain’t shit. You know all your chicks been dying to taste my dick. Sowho’safraid to introduce his girl? Where’s your current lady?”
“Ain’t no current lady. It’s just me and my little me. You know that.”
“Aight. By the way, bring Aja over with Coco. My little girl would be happy to meet them.”
“Aight, they’ll be there in a few hours.”
We ended the call and I went up to help my girls pack. In a few hours, we were all ready and I brought them home where they both belonged.
The ride was quiet. Lena stared out the window the whole damn time, like she was doing everything in her power not to look at me.
When I pulled into the driveway, I spotted Coco’s car already parked out front.
“Wow, you live here, Daddy?” Marisa asked, eyes wide.
“Yup. This is your new home now. You like it? Wanna see your room?”
Her whole face lit up, eyes glowing with joy, and fuck, just seeing her happy after everything that happened made my heart feel lighter.
“Oh yes, please!” she answered, her little voice full of excitement.
“Great. I’m right behind you.”
I glanced over at Lena real quick, and she was silently checking out the house, not saying a damn word. I lived in a huge house—a three-story modern mansion of crisp white stucco, its façade dominated by a soaring two-story arched window to the left and broad terraces on the second and third floors edged with sleek black railings. Warm recessed lights haloed the double-front doors and highlighted rows of sculpted potted plants, while beneath us a wide teak-toned deck stretched out, leading down to sunken steps and a fire-lit seating area.
I knew exactly what was running through her mind. You wouldn’t look at a man like me—modest-ass elementary school teacher—and think I live in a house like this. But I got my shit stacked right, and all she needs to know is that as long as I’m here, her and Marisa won’t miss a damn thing.
We stepped into the house and were hit right away by the warm smell of pastries. Coco must’ve been busy in the kitchen. A second later, she and Aja came down the stairs.
“Daddy Lan!” Aja called out from the steps.
