She crossed her arms, trying to mask her trembling hands. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Liam's smile was sharp, his tone cutting. "It means I'll make Ethan suffer in ways you can't even imagine. Every second you resist me will be another second of pain for him. Is that what you want?"
Avery felt the walls closing in around her. She wanted to lash out, to scream, but she knew it would only give him more power. "You're lying. You don't have that kind of reach."
"Oh, I don't?" Liam asked, feigning surprise. "How do you think I've stayed ahead of him all this time? I know where he is, what he's doing, and who he's protecting. If you don't give me what I want, I'll destroy everything he's built."
---
Avery's voice faltered. "You're bluffing."
