"I know."
"You know."
"I do."
A pause. "Well, what exactly do you know?"
"Everything."
"Everything?"
"Yes, Mike. Everything."
All thoughts stop. The next move is made automatically. "Do you know pi to the thousandth digit?"
A scoff. "Don't play games with me. I know you know what I'm talking about."
"Louis," Mike begins, somehow covering up the panic so easily he surprises himself. "You really need to be more specific. Everything means everything, but what do you mean?"
"I mean I know you're dirty little secret."
The tock ticks by on the wall. Or is it the ticking of Mike's own mind trying to figure out what to do next? Maybe it's the heartbeat he hears too loudly. Surely, Louis can't hear it. But can he? Will it give him away? He's resisting every urge to loosen his tie, or better yet, run. "Which is..?"
"About you and Harvey."
He waits.
"Or, well, you."
He waits.
"That you're in love with Harvey."
What? "Louis, I am not-"
"Don't play games with me, Mike." He repeats, wicked grin plastered to his face, and it's all Mike can do to not wipe it off for him. "You think I couldn't figure that out? Well, I'll tell you what. It doesn't take a genius. Harvey's been lenient so far because let's face it, Harvey doesn't do emotions. But what do you think he'll do when he figures it out, just like I did?"
Mike's blindsided. "He won't," he says before he can stop himself. Shit.
Louis chuckles. "Yeah, that's what I thought." He looks away, and when he looks back, he already looks like he's won. "So here's what you're going to do." He opens his mouth but doesn't say anything yet, it's like he's reveling in the moment, making it last for just a little bit longer. "You're going to do exactly what I say you're going to do. If I say jump, you jump. If I say higher, you jump higher. If I say hit the deck, you hit the fucking deck – do I make myself clear?"
Blood is boiling beneath the surface, anger mixed with fears well hidden in his eyes; hardened from years of working next to Harvey, having to hide every little thing. Harvey doesn't like emotion. Caring makes you weak. It's not a surprise that Mike dumbed it down, even if it didn't seem like it. But Harvey had taught him well. Don't let them see you cry. Any of them. Don't let the enemy know what you're thinking, what you're feeling, or for that matter, anything. Don't let the enemy know anything. Don't let anyoneknow anything. If you want to come out on top, you have to demand it of the world.
He's flushed, skin reddened in his neck and cheeks, up to his ears. He's not embarrassed really, he's just angry. Angry because, who does Louis think he is, anyway? Like Mike doesn't have anything on him? Please.
"Yeah, that's not gonna happen, Louis." He sits back in his chair, hands coming together under his chest; a habit he'd picked up from Havey.
Louis doesn't even shift from his seat on the table. The file room is empty except for them. Hell, the whole building is probably empty except for them. Louis could say whatever he wanted and there was no chance that anyone could hear them. "Oh, I think it is." He nods. "Yeah. Because you don't want Harvey to find out."
Mike doesn't answer.
"You and I both know that you'll be out of a job and kicked to the curb like the ratty stray you are." He's smiling, but his words are dripping venom. He's pissed. Why? Mike has no idea. What could he have possibly done to piss off Louis this bad? Or maybe he hasn't done anything. A sick feeling washes over him. "I know what you're thinking," he says, sounding almost friendly, though Mike sees through it. "I have no reason to hurt you like this." He looks him dead in the eye. "You're right. I don't. But see, since the day I met Harvey, he's been treating me like shit, and he gets whatever he wants for it. Well you know what? Now I'm taking what Iwant. And what Iwant, is for you to be my associate."
"Louis, no, I-"
"Shut up."
He does.
"Don't feel too guilty, having you work for me is just a bonus."
He waits.
"The real win here, is watching Harvey suffer the same way I have for years." He nods down to him, eyes like stones and grin wicked. "So you're not going to say anything to him, and you're going to be a good little pony and work for me. Got it?"
He can't say anything. His lungs won't let him. They don't even seem to want to breathe anymore. There's a coldness in the pit of his stomach and he's sure that's the reason why he's been holding his breath for so long. This is really happening.
"Don't look so glum though," he says, suddenly perking up. His posture straightens and he taps Mike playfully on the arm. "We always have fun working together. You know you'll be better off anyway. It'll be fun, Mike."
His jaw is clenched, and he stares past Louis at something that his eyes don't even register.
"See ya bright and early, sunshine."