He tensed as Bennet did, empathy a double-edged sword even around people he didn't care much for, and then relaxed as he realized the cause for it. Shooting Bennet a look that might have passed for apologetic, however briefly, he shrugged before looking away, toying with his cup again, albeit this time under his own power. "I kept my word about letting you walk out of this alive. We both know if I'd wanted to kill you, I would have done it by now."

A pause, and he raised his eyes without ever moving his head, studying him heatedly from under his eyebrows, before, "Would you believe me if I promised that I won't let anything happen to her while she's with me?"