He didn't need to see her face to see the drop of her shoulders.

"'Thena. You know I'm only tryin' to keep you safe, right? I.. I don't want to put you into a postion where you gotta defend yourself against... Against shitkickers that I'm used to. They're stupid and they don't understand shit and you've--"

He gestured at her with the comment but his hand fell back at his side as he fought to urge to step forward and collect her into his arms.

"Ava is good folk. I promise." He turns halfway, his body's edge pointed towards the door. "It's either her or you tuckin' into the backseat under a blanket in a place where godknows what'll happen."