But in the novel, Michael is filled with a "delicious icy chilliness that controlled his brain, a surge of wintry cold hatred" immediately after McCluskey broke his jaw.
I've always liked Puzo's imagery there.
Mike was the ultimate competitor and once McCluskey(w/ the punch & taking the guards off his father) brought him into the game, there was no quitting for Mike. Mike wanted vengeance against McCluskey, he wanted to help his father, he wanted to help the family business, he wanted to go legit, yes, all of those things and more.
