Those words had a nearly magical effect on Liam. That's why he did what he did. That specific edge in Mike's voice. It wasn't just fear, it wasn't just desperation. It was something else, something unique. It took more than merely threatening a person's life. It was convincing them at a fundamental level that they would die. Usually, it was something he could achieve in a very narrow window. Once it passed there was no getting it back. He'd used it up with Mike long ago. But here it was again, and it nearly caught him off guard.

Then there were those words. Four little words that usually marked the start of an attack, found here in the sweet spot. It had a profound effect on Liam, sending a shiver up his spine. It was all he could to do not moan out loud. He let out a slow, controlled breath making it sound like his irritated sigh.

"Oh, I'm going to do a lot more than hurt you. The thing about these lessons, especially for a dim-witted junkie like yourself, is that they have to hurt a lot for them to truly sink in. The sort of pain that you're going to fee for days after, every time you so much as try to sit down. That is assuming I think you're capable of retaining it at all. You did put everything in jeopardy, Mikey."