"What can I say, I've proven I'm a rather simple individual," he said, a slight edge to his voice at her gaze. Fuck, she was so obnoxious sometimes.
Listening to her rant then, her rising voice, he couldn't help the agitation that began to build, the way her words made his hair stand on end. "Stop it, just fucking stop it, Melinda. It had not a fucking thing to do with what I thought about your skill or your size. I'm not an idiot, I know you can take care of yourself. But there's a fucking torturer, a murderer... something extremely dangerous out there. It doesn't matter how fucking brilliant you are, Melinda, you were being stupid. You were being stupid and reckless and you know it," he said, punctuating his words, knowing deep down, no matter how hard she tried to fight, he was right in the regards of trying to stop her.
But at the rest of her words though, he gave a slight pause. She had definitely ruffled him, that was no mystery. He glowered at her, almost growling in the back of his throat, but he kept his voice calm, collected, which was almost more terrifying in a way. "It means I care about you, Melinda. I don't want to see anything bad happen to you. And I'm sorry I didn't say anything to you but I knew this is how you'd be. I know you'd stew, I know you'd be pissed about what happened. But some part of me also thought you'd rationalize it, but that doesn't seem to be the case."
Sighing then, he pressed his face into his hands before rubbing his temples, tiredness leaking into his voice. "Hate me all you want... but I'm selfish, okay? I didn't want to lose you too."