Mike's first mistake was assuming they could ever be even close to equal. He would be subservient to Liam always, no matter what else might change. And Liam apparently needed to drive that point home. At least now Mike was afraid, as he should be.

"What I want is for you to do as I've taught you." There was tension in his voice. Combined with the tightening grip on Mike's shoulder, it showed just how hard he was fighting the urge to just shove the man and be done with this all. Or at least that's what he wanted Mike to assume. He liked seeing the man tremble.

But finally, he hauled Mike away from the stairs more by the belt than his shoulder. Instead of pushing him down the stairs, he was shoved hard to the floor in the general direction of the hallway. "I'll never trust you, so stop trying. A junkie like you shouldn't be trying for things so complex. Make it easier. Simply do as you're told."