He's allowed to breathe and he realizes with faint horror just how fucked he was--not in the sexual sense, though he's sure that's coming--but with Liam.

He willingly put the coat on, that's the part that's just hitting Mike, and he's gasping for breath, face red and flushed, and his ragged breathing only increases as he gasps for air. He's done it by himself. Liam has convinced him to do this and now he has more control than ever. It's not some test, it's not some lovey-dovey weird thing from their equally weird relationship. It's real. Liam has been disappointed in him the entire day.

What's stopping him from just disposing of him?

All of these thoughts are buried in a flash as Mike's ass is grabbed and Liam talks--Liam talking is the most dangerous thing that can happen--and he doesn't even realize it's the name 'Mikey' instead of Mike. The words are confirming what he's previously figured out.

"I'm sorry," he confesses, and there's an edge to his voice as his ass is slapped. His hips move forward, as if eager, but he winces with the pain and barely suppresses a yelp. "I'm sorry, I--fuck--please don't hurt me."