Use Me [Dungeon Masters 5] (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting) by Cara Adams

wrist in plaster because it’s broken, they put that band on my other wrist. The one that wasn’t broken. But now I’m home again Mommy said I should give it to Uncle Lorenzo because he’s so sad because he hasn’t got one of his own.”
    Everyone was laughing but Lorenzo took the band seriously and said, “Thank you, Bree. You’re a very kind and considerate person.”
    As soon as the little girl left, people laughed louder and harder. One man offered to go get a stapler to fasten the band around his wrist. Another suggested duct-taping it to his hand.
    Raff just looked at Violet. Darcy was staring at her, too.
    “Lorenzo was a premature baby. His family was visiting Kenya and he decided to arrive six weeks early,” she said.
    “He was the only white baby in the hospital,” added an older woman.
    “So they didn’t put a tag on his wrist as there was no chance of confusing him with any of the other newborns,” added Violet.
    “My baby book is the only one in the family without a hospital tag in it from when I was born.” Lorenzo had an aggrieved, hurt tone in his voice, but his black eyes were sparkling so Raff knew this was an old family joke.
    “And now Bree has given you one,” said Darcy.
    But everyone else just laughed louder.
    “He has dozens of them. People give them to him all the time. Likely he has an entire book full of them now,” said the older woman.
    Raff joined in the laughter. This was what family was all about. Traditions and shared stories. Fun and laughter among the whole group as they told and retold the family dramas and jokes. This is what he wanted with Darcy and Violet. A lifetime of laughter and joy that would go on and on forever.

    * * * *

    The week passed very quickly for Darcy. After the brunch they borrowed Lorenzo’s giant drink coolers, filled them with water, wheeled them on their trolleys out into the pastures, and filled the two tubs. Then Violet moved the horses into a new field to let them explore it while he and Raff returned the barrels and the trolleys.
    Each day the house came closer and closer to being finished. The two upstairs bathrooms were completed as was the bedroom that would be Violet’s so she was living in the house now, even though the painting still had to be done and the kitchen wasn’t finalized yet. But with power and water connected, her life was almost normal apart from the construction gear on the first floor and the team of workmen arriving at dawn each day.
    Darcy was really pleased with the way Raff had melded into his crew. He fit perfectly as if he was an original member, always in the right place at the right time, and learning new skills extremely quickly.
    “You could get your trade certificate if you wanted to,” he said to Raff one day.
    “Maybe I will. But I’m happy enough just working for you now.”
    It wasn’t until they were all sitting on the airplane on Friday evening that he thought to ask, “I’m guessing you managed to get those appointments you wanted for tomorrow.”
    “The security people at my old company will have my box of things when I come asking for it and the appointment is set up with the bank. The apartment manager knows I’m coming and what I plan to do as well, so it should all be good. He said likely I can leave it furnished and he’ll rent it out furnished.”
    “That sounds smart,” said Violet.
    “Have you arranged to hire a car while we’re here?” Darcy asked.
    “I can’t do that until I get a new credit card so we’ll have to catch the train. Besides, parking’s a nightmare in New York. Public transportation is much more convenient.”
    I should have thought of that.
    “My suitcase is almost empty so carrying it is no big deal,” added Violet.
    Yes, his was as well. He’d brought the largest one that fit the airline dimension rules so Raff could bring back anything he wanted. His own few things would easily fit in the carry-on bag currently inside the suitcase to come home.
    He