This just doesn't compute. It doesn't make any sense. Howard picks up the ring off of the table, examining it.

Gene would never have given up the tenth ring, not the key to his power. Certainly not to Tony. It's too unbelievable. Howard can get behind mysterious sigils and magic turtles, but Gene Khan willingly giving up power is testing his suspension of disbelief to the breaking point.

"To keep it safe? From what?"

He has a feeling he knows, but he wants to hear Tony say it.