“Yeah,” Badger grimly said. “But now Dewi, Duncan, and I need to make the rounds of everyone—and I meaneveryone—who’s here and clueless, Prime ’em to make sure they forget this happened, and make sure no one got it on video.No oneleaves today until we checkeverysingle phone.”
“God, I can’t ever take a day off, can I?” Dewi snarked as she turned and trudged back to the house, Duncan on her heels.
“That settles it, though,” Badger said, pointing at Dania. “We’re gonna need to get this little one out o’ school somehow. She’s gonna end up shiftin’ in the middle of a crowded classroom and that’s all she wrote.”
Ken jogged up, out of breath. “What happened?”
“Someone fill him in,” Badger said, taking Dania from Carl. “I’ll take this one back to her mum and dad and have a little chat with ’em about the horrors of Florida’s public school system and the dangers of not homeschooling with trusted family. Ken, I’m gonna need ye to come up with a plausible homeschool curriculum for this one.”
“Um, okaaaay?”
“And go help Dewi and Duncan with the phones.”
“Uh, sure.” He turned and left to catch up with them.
Carl and Mateo exchanged a glance.
“Come on,” Badger said to Dania, setting her on her feet and leading her away.
In Mateo’s arms, Bebe stared after Badger and Dania.
Bebe blew a loud, rude raspberry at them. “Dat wasmyball, you bitz!” she yelled at Dani’s back.
Nami’s eyes widened in horror. “Bebe!”
When Dania tried to turn, Badger must have Primed her and he didn’t release her hand. “Now,noneo’ that, little one. Not ’til ye learn yer proper manners.” He looked back at Bebe and pointed. “And ye watch yer language too, princess.”
Bebe glowered at him as she crossed her arms over her chest, her lower lip stuck out in an impressive pout.
Beck looked as shocked as Carl knew he felt right now. “Um.Well. Thiscertainlyturned out to be an interesting afternoon.”
Tamsin reached for Bebe, taking her from Mateo. “Sweetheart, you mustn’t use language like that. It’s not ladylike.”
“Auntie Dewi does!”
Beck snorted and Nami backhanded his shoulder so hard Carl nearly felt it. “That’snotfunny!” Nami shrieked.
Tamsin settled Bebe on her hip. “Beebs, love, I know you were upset but you also mustn’t fight like that.”
Bebe pouted. “But it wasmyturn for da ball! She waswude!” She burst into tears as Tamsin soothed her.
“I think someone’s in dire need of an N-A-P,” Tamsin said, gently patting the toddler on the back as she sobbed against Tamsin’s shoulder. “I should take her up to the house and see if I can get her to S-L-E-E-P for a little while.”
“Let’s let Dewi, Duncan, and Badger take care of business first,” Beck said, glancing back at the house. “I want to stay out of their way until that’s finished.”
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
BECK
Fortunately,the Primes were able to quickly wind their way through the gathering and, with Ken’s help, ensure no one had caught the girls’ scrap on camera.
It was close to dark before Beck gently talked Nami into saying good-bye and heading home. He sensed how upset Nami was, not to mention exhausted mentally and physically, but he was also damned well smart enough not to open his fricking mouth until asked to.
It was twenty minutes into their drive home when Nami finally spoke.
“Well? Aren’t you gonna saysomething?”
Beck carefully weighed countless options and, because he was a rational man, finally settled on the truth. “I don’t know what you want me to say, sweetheart.”
