Deep Freeze: Protocol One, Book 2 (Protocol One Saga) by Jacqueline Druga

it.”
    “Anna, I know it sounds like a dick move. But when one group disregards the rules set forth, how can I execute strength as a leader if I let them go.”
    “Kicking them out doesn’t show weakness in leadership it shows how much of a tyrant you can be. I don’t know what your motivation was for not wanting them to help, I don’t care.” I stepped to him. “But let me tell you something, Gil. I don’t like this man before me. I don’t like what you have become. What you showed me and what you do are two different things. I want the old Gil back. If he even exists or was that a smoke screen and act to hide your true colors?”
    “Anna, stop this.”
    “No, I’m pissed. I really am. You wanted to kick them out. You told them to leave. That’s bullshit. If you ever …” I moved even closer. “Ever fucking pull a stunt like that again, call it a mutiny, Mr. Leader and I will give you three days to get out.” I spun on heels and moved to the door.
    “You can’t do that.”
    “Watch me.” I stopped. “And if you don’t go when I tell you, I’ll remove you myself.” On those words, I finally left.
    I don’t know if Gil took me seriously or not. Hearing him ‘kick out’ Craig, Spencer and Duke infuriated me. Was Gil implying that their taking of the truck, medical supplies and fuel was stealing? They weren’t doing anything bad, they were doing good. I really needed to sit down and talk to Peter because obviously he knew things. Gil’s sudden turnabout sickened me. It was not the kind man I knew. Not the selfless man I loved. What happened? Was it power? Gwen? Or maybe he had changed over the years and I never saw it. If something like an impromptu rescue set off what Tony called the Giltatorship, I didn’t want to know what would happen if and when something truly bad occurred.

Seventeen – Back and Forth
     
    Gil tried several times to talk to me throughout the day. I wanted no part of it, I just wanted to spend time with Joie and Tony. I needed Tony back to where he had been and for that he needed to rest. I asked Spencer, Craig and Duke not to mention anything to Tony about Gil’s threats. That was something I would handle, and they agreed.
    At one point, just before dinner, Gil did manage to corner me.
    “I don’t want us to be like this, Anna. We never were before.”
    “Do you even comprehend how this looks?” I asked him. “You were gonna throw out three really good and reliable men. I feel foolish. I have made bad choices this whole time. Not thinking about others. That’s why I thought for sure, letting you take reins would be the best thing. It wasn’t. This is not you.”
    He lowered his head some. “This is not the same world. In situations like this, we need order. Defiance is …”
    “Oh, stop it.”
    “No, you stop it. You are not thinking this through. You gave me the leadership position here. I have a plan. One that will get many people fed, happy, and back on their feet. Everything they need.”
    “Hitler tried that once. You saw how well that worked out for him.”
    Gil bit his bottom lip. “Everything is planned out. Every gallon of gas. Every vehicle.”
    “What were you gonna do about me, Gil? Leave me there?”
    “You were fine, Anna. We would have sent someone for you when the weather broke. Those three risked a needed vehicle and the amount of fuel they consumed to do so was insane.”
    “What about Tony? Was his life not worth it?”
    Gil didn’t answer.
    “Guess not.”
    “Anna, what would you have done as leader, if say, three of the new survivor guys took the biggest gas guzzling truck you had, after telling them they couldn’t, and disappeared for days.”
    “If they did it to help someone, then nothing.” I replied.
    “That is why you are not leader.”
    “And this is why you are not my husband anymore.”
    “Stop.” He lifted his hand. “That hurt. Okay? Now what is it going to take to get you to like me again?”
    “Be the way you