Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Lacey thought that with the Thorne family hauled off by the cops, all their troubles had evaporated. She felt at ease, finally. But the kids were sharp as tacks, sensing something was off right away.

That evening, seizing the moment Lacey went to freshen up, they cornered Tarquin for the scoop on the day's events.

When it came to sharing, Tarquin was all about keeping it real.

He laid it all out, leaving no stone unturned.

The kids were livid!

Evan was the most fired up. "I knew something was off with Mom today, her eyes all puffy and red. So it was the Thorne crew stirring the pot!

We hadn't even gone after them yet, and here they are, showing up uninvited! It's like they're asking for it! Bro, it's time we settled the score with the Thorne family!"

Elliot, propped up in his hospital bed, knitted his brows in concern.

He'd been keeping a mental tally of the grudge against the Thorne family, waiting to wrap up a few loose ends before taking action. But they'd beaten him to the punch!

It was their father they'd upset today!

But the brothers had yet to have their say!

"It's time," Elliot declared with a grimace, "to make a plan!"

Tarquin jumped in, eager, "Count me in for a piece of the action."

Elliot shot him a glance, hearing the bathroom water stop, signaling Lacey's imminent return. He lowered his voice,

"You're on lookout duty. Let's get Mom to bed early tonight."

Tarquin was torn between elation and disappointment.

Tucking Lacey in? That was a sweet gig!

But playing bedtime buddy meant missing out on the kids' scheme.

Tarquin had wanted to bond with his sons over this, but after mulling it over, he decided on Lacey. After all, cuddling her to sleep trumped everything else.

And he'd make sure the kids were covered, arranging for their protection from the shadows.

So he committed with a, "You got it!"

By nine, the kids were feigning sleep.novelbin

Tarquin tactfully escorted Lacey to the guest room for the night.

Then, in the 'father and sons' group chat, he dropped a message, [Mission accomplished.]

Instantly, the kids sprang to life, gathering around Elliot's bed to strategize.

With Tarquin keeping Lacey occupied, they had nothing to fear from her unexpected interruptions.

Evan, itching for action, said, "When do we move? Just White and me will do. I'm on this."

But Elliot, voice low, shared a new twist,

"It's not like what step-dad said. The Thorne crew isn't with their usual muscle. They're holed up in Gideon Bradford's estate."

Evan was baffled, "How did they end up mixing with the Bradford crowd?"

Elliot's expression darkened, "The Bradfords reached out to them. I did some digging. The Bradfords have been on the hunt for Daphne! Today, they intercepted the Thornes, whisked them away, and even settled over twenty million in debts for them."

Evan was astounded, "They cleared a twenty million debt for the Thornes? Are the Bradfords that close with them?"

"Not at all."

"Then why would the Bradfords pay off their debt?"

Elijah, frowning, explained,

"The Bradfords weigh their investments heavily. If they're pouring over twenty million into the Thornes, it means they see value in them far beyond that amount!"

Evan was puzzled, "But we looked into the Thornes before. Aside from their shady deals, they're pretty much worthless, no business acumen. What could the Bradfords possibly gain from them?"

Elliot exhaled slowly,

"If I'm right, the Bradfords probably don't know about Mom's stand-in marriage situation."