Page 60 of Rascal

“That’s hysterical,” I said, and Kenny shrugged.

“In revenge for my getting hurt, Brax put hair removal lotion in the shampoo which I used and then went bald. And believe it or not, those boys love me.”

I gaped at Kenny. “They’re lying.

“You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But nope, those kids are fully capable of killing anyone who hurts me. And Brax would torture them as well. Finn, Kit, and Brax are my adopted sons. They didn’t have a mother, so they are overprotective of me, just like their father. Hell, they’ve attacked Rooster several times,” Kenny shrugged.

“Tell Hallie about Terminator sex,” Clio began giggling. Kenny grinned, and I leaned forward. I didn’t want to like these women, but I needed to know what Terminator sex was.

I was roaring with laughter at what Kenny and Clio were telling me when the door opened, and four teens and two young girls walked in. Kenny turned and looked at them. “You all in one piece?”

“Yeah, Mom,” three boys chorused.

“Yes, Aunt Kenny,” the other teen and girls said in unison.

“Is Bloodsworth House standing?” Clio asked.

“Yup, although Uncle Chatter…”

“Wait, a minute. I thought Lavender was burning some trash,” Kenny held up a hand.

“Aunt Lavender was. She made a pile in the bonfire pit, and then Uncle Chatter threw a box on it,” the older girl oozed innocence.

Clio sat up and narrowed her eyes. “Isla Michaelson, don’t tell me you set Uncle Chatter up!”

The girl looked angelic alongside the one standing beside her. “No, Mom.”

“Liar,” the youngest boy hissed.

“Brax!” Kenny warned, and he clamped his lips shut. “What did Isla do to Uncle Chatter?”

“Nothing,” Brax whined.

Perfectly timed, a faint male shriek drifted in from the distance. “Demons!”

Kenny closed her eyes. “Which one of you was it?”

Silence fell. Clio eyed the group sternly. “Own up.”

“Snitches get stitches,” the youngest girl said. Laughter rose, and I managed to turn it into a snort. Kenny raised an eyebrow, her expression knowing.

“He/she who snitches gets cake,” Clio retorted. The kids exchanged glances and then faced Clio as one, folding their arms. On cue, all six made a zipping motion across their lips and then threw away the key.

The door banged open, and several brothers marched in. “Troy,” one growled.

“Yes, Dad?”

“Who did it?”

“Did what?” Troy replied innocently.

“Finn filmed it,” another man said, glowering.

“Send to me, babe,” Kenny demanded. That had to be Rooster unless Kenny called all men babe. He yanked his phone out and tapped on it. Moments later, Kenny’s cell pinged.

“What was it this time?” Clio asked.

“Exploding body parts!” Rooster ground out. “Chatter’s been sedated.”