He knows his father started him on the path of, let's say circumventing the law. That he has a predisposition for violence. He learned how to channel it, as you did. He had a goal – to get out, to have means and power. He accomplished that. Then he found you. He understands where he came from, and I imagine it's part of his pride that he became the kind of man a woman like you would love.
The character's journey is deeply influenced by his father's actions, which initiated his inclination towards breaking the law. He recognizes his own tendency for violence but has managed to control it over time. This control was driven by a desire for escape and the aspiration for strength and resources. Ultimately, he achieved his ambitions and transformed his life.
His relationship with a woman he admires highlights his understanding of his past....
