Here, the given expression is

{eq}- 5 + 2(8 - 12) {/eq}.

We have to simplify it.

{eq}\begin{align} \therefore - 5 + 2(8 - 12) & = -5 + \left [ (2 \times 8) - (2 \times 12) \right] \\[0.3 cm] & = -5 + (16 - 24) \\[0.3 cm] & = -5 + (-8) \\[0.3 cm] & = -5 - 8 \\[0.3 cm] & = -13 \\[0.3 cm] \end{align} {/eq}

Therefore, {eq}\boxed{ - 5 + 2(8 - 12) = -13} {/eq}