"P...Phoenix!" Dex tried to speak but she tightened her grip around his neck and began to suffocate him. He felt her drumming heart and even observed her deadly gaze but amid this rage, he caught a glimpse of tears rolling down her eyes.
Fighting her off and releasing himself from her fierce grip wasn't a difficult task for Dex. But he was eager to show her how much hurt he was willing to go through just to make her happy.
Also, Dex had no plans of revealing his true identity to her until he knew who she really was and whether she could be trusted or not. He didn't want her to know that he was equally as ruthless as her. Instead, he wanted her to see him as the average billionaire guy who was hopelessly in love with her.
Dex held his breath as her grip got tighter and stronger. He saw that there was no use pleading with her when she was bent on crushing his windpipe. Hence, he decided to communicate through his sensitive touch.