El Padrino laughed and tipped his glass back, amber catching the dock lights as he took another sip. He stepped in close and tapped Johnny on the shoulder—firm, familiar, but just short of friendly.
Johnny flinched before he could stop himself.
A second passed.
Then El Padrino smiled.
"You know," he said, voice easy, accent thick but controlled, "the bosses had their doubts about you." He pulled his hand away, adjusted the cuff of his shirt. "But my niece Valeria… she thinks you have potential."
Johnny let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
El Padrino exhaled through his nose, almost tired. "Don't worry. You've always been good to Valeria. Since you little kids." He lifted the glass slightly, as if toasting memory rather than the moment. "Helped her secure territory. Helped her prove herself to the family."
He finished the drink, then handed the empty glass to the guard at his side without looking.
The smile faded.
