1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $-2 + 8(-3) - (-12)$. 2. **Apply the order of operations:** First, multiply $8$ by $-3$. $$8 \times (-3) = -24$$ 3. **Substitute back into the expression:** $$-2 + (-24) - (-12)$$ 4. **Simplify the subtraction of a negative number:** $$-2 - 24 + 12$$ 5. **Combine like terms:** $$(-2 - 24) + 12 = -26 + 12$$ 6. **Final simplification:** $$-26 + 12 = -14$$ **Answer:** $-14$