A Family

Sera

The young man was another ghost from my past. It was like staring at Leo as a teen— almost a miniature of my late brother, which meant he was an echo of our mother: the same dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a similar face shape.

But that was the end of the resemblances. Dustin’s hair was curly, and the blue of his eyes wasn’t as cold and aloof as Leo’s had been. They were curious and hesitant, untouched by the cruelty of the mafia life.

Leo had been sucked into it. At fifteen, he’d started to change, and he’d put on an impenetrable armor. He’d become mean and short-tempered as he spent more and more time following our father around. And before I knew it, he was more than just Dad’s shadow.

I don’t remember what it was or when exactly, but there was a moment when I was hit with the realization that Leo wasn’t Leo anymore. At some point, he stopped being my brother and was a full-fledged mobster.

Dustin was different. That was evident—comfortingly so. And for a moment, I felt a rush