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“Take that up with Inglorious,” he retorted. Oh, I would.

It took me twice as long to walk from the car to the hotel. I was wracked with agony when we entered. As soon as I stepped in, Nanci pounced.

“Here!” she ordered, guiding me to an armchair. She helped lower me down and then placed pillows all around my body. “Amy, get Meadow a coffee, babe. Daisy-Duke, fetch that footstool.” Nanci shoved a glass of water into my hands and handed me two painkillers. “Take them.”

I started to argue, and as I opened my mouth, Nanci shoved the tablets inside. Fair enough. I gulped the water because they tasted bitter and swallowed.

“Poet and Zion are with Razor, Widowmaker and Vortex,” Amy said, passing me a coffee.

Chill’s head shot round, and he looked horrified. “If they come back—”

“Oh, you know they will. Razor gets off on scaring the pants off everyone,” Nanci cut him off. Amy whimpered and disappeared as fast as her legs could carry her.

“Clowns,” I murmured, and Chill paled. Oh, I forgot how clowns terrified half of these guys. Funny stuff. Chill glanced toward the door.

“I’m going to get the bags from the car,” he muttered and basically fled.

Nanci laughed.

“Okay, lady.” Nanci picked up a lock of my hair. “We’ve booked the hairdresser to give you a makeover, er—shush—thank you,” she ordered as I tried to interrupt. “The nail technician is also coming in, and I’m so tired of seeing you in those ill-fitting clothes. You’ve got a rocking body, and it’s time to show it off.”

I didn’t know about a rocking body, but I had lost the excess forty pounds I’d carried. Then I’d dropped another twenty that I probably couldn’t afford to lose.

“Yup, you need clothes. I noticed you outfitted the kids but not yourself. When the painkillers kick in, I’m taking your measurements and ordering you new shit,” Daisy-Duke stated.

My eyes grew wide. “Um, it’s okay…”

“Don’t worry, only I wear short shorts around here,” Daisy-Duke chortled as she read my mind. “You’re a beautiful woman. That needs to be seen. Stop hiding.”

There was a scream from outside, and Widowmaker raced in with Zorro on his heels. Neither of them stopped but raced for the staircase leading to the bunks. They fled up it as Kya and Poet chased Demon and Mare in. They split up, and Demon headed for the kitchen, clearly intending to go out the rear exit. Mare ran around the room and rushed out as Zion pounced.

An unmanly yelp escaped Mare, but he didn’t pause. He shot past Zion and kept going.

“Fuckin’ pussies,” Razor complained as he walked in. Behind him walked Vortex, who was laughing and holding his phone up.

I studied the three kids. Kya was her usual Pennywise, while Poet was recognisable as Twisty the Clown, and Zion resembled Art the Clown. Yeah, I could understand why grown men were running around.

“Mom!” Poet skidded to a stop and stared at me in horror. Her bottom lip trembled, and I knew there were going to be tears.

“I’m fine! It’s bruises! The airbag didn’t go off. Mommy’s fine. Come give me a careful cuddle, baby,” I soothed.

Zion didn’t hesitate and came over. He gently patted my shoulder as I hugged him. “You look bad, Mom.”

“Yup. My makeup’s better than yours!” I teased.

“Yeah, but you can keep it, Mom,” Zion replied with a laugh.

“Damn, I missed you,” I muttered, squeezing him tightly.

“Me too, but we’ve had fun. Aunt Nanci is amazing.” Zion grinned.

“I’m sure she is.”

“She keeps beating Uncle Inglorious at Go Fish.”

“Nice. The girls should win!” I joked, and Zion shook his head. Out of the corner of my eye, Poet crept closer.

“Mommy!” she cried, throwing herself at me.