Page 10 of Privilege

“Sorry, Skip,” Ren said. “I’m going. Next week?”

“Yeah. Get gone, kid.”

John was backing up before Ren had even moved away.

Once they were back on the road, Lucia’s curiosity ate away at her.

“John?”

“What?” her brother asked.

“Who was that?”

“Renzo?”

Lucia would recognize an Italian name anywhere.

“Yeah, him,” she said.

“A street kid,” John informed like it was nothing. “A solider who probably isn’t going anywhere but right where he is. It sucks, but that’s how it goes.”

Lucia picked at her manicured nails, still curious. “Why?”

“Because that’s what his father did for our father, and his grandfather for our grandfather. It’s a circle, Lucia. It’s vicious. It’s the kind of life they can’t get out of even though they try damned hard. What does it matter?”

She didn’t really know.

“Just wondering,” Lucia settled on saying.

John’s gaze cut in her direction before he said, “Keep wondering. Nothing more.”

“Huh?”

“Stay away from guys like Renzo, Lucia.”

“I didn’t even say—”

“Take it as future advice,” John interrupted. “Remember it.”

She would try.

But …

Marcellos didn’t follow the rules all that well. They were far too filthy for that.

John reached over and turned the radio on. Lucia took in the sight of her brother seemingly happy and carefree. She couldn’t remember a time when John looked like he did right at that moment.

“What is going on with you?” Lucia asked.

John flashed a smile. “Huh?”

“You’re happy.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

Lucia shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

John laughed. “My happiness is that confusing for you, huh?”