Chapter 5 - Gilbert's Hardest Promise
Richard disappeared before investigators could question him again.
Gilbert immediately doubled security around the townhouse.
Nebula noticed within an hour.
Two men across the street.
Another vehicle behind the building.
She called him.
“Come over.”
Gilbert arrived fifteen minutes later.
Nebula opened the door.
“You put guards outside.”
“Yes.”
“Without asking me.”
Gilbert paused.
“Yes.”
“Remove them.”
“Nebula—”
“No.”
“Richard is missing.”
“I know.”
“He has threatened you.”
“I know.”
“And now evidence suggests—”
“Gilbert.”
He stopped.
Nebula folded her arms.
“This is exactly why I left you.”
His expression changed.
“I am trying to keep you alive.”
“Richard said he controlled me because he loved me.”
Gilbert went completely still.
Nebula immediately regretted the comparison.
But she didn't take it back.
“You're not Richard,” she said. “I know that. But you still think fear gives you permission to make decisions for me.”
Gilbert looked toward the window.
For several seconds he said nothing.
Then he pulled out his phone.
“Remove the teams.”
Nebula blinked.
The voice on the phone protested.
Gilbert's tone hardened.
“Now.”
He ended the call.
“You did it?”
“You asked me to.”
“That easily?”
“No.”
Gilbert looked at her.
“It was extremely difficult.”
Nebula laughed despite herself.
Gilbert continued.
“But that's the point, isn't it?”
“What?”
“Doing what you ask only when I agree isn't respect.”
That silenced her.
Gilbert walked toward the door.
“Rebecca can arrange security you choose. Female officers. Private guards. Police patrols. Whatever makes you comfortable.”
Nebula watched him.
“And you?”
“I'll stay away unless you ask.”
He opened the door.
“Gilbert.”
He stopped.
“Stay.”
He looked back.
“Are you sure?”
Nebula nodded.
They sat at the kitchen table.
No guards.
No empire.
Just two people and three years of unfinished conversation.
“Why didn't you ever contact me?” Nebula asked.
“You told me not to.”
“You listened?”
“Eventually.”
She smiled slightly.
Gilbert didn't.
“I nearly ruined everything between us because I confused love with responsibility.”
“What does that mean?”
“I thought if I loved you, every danger became mine to solve.”
“And now?”
“Now I think love means helping when I'm invited.”
Nebula looked down.
“I loved you.”
Gilbert's breath caught.
“Past tense?”
“I don't know.”
“Fair.”
“You don't get angry?”
“Terrified, yes.”
That made her look up.
Gilbert Mercer admitting fear was almost absurd.
“Of what?”
“That the best thing I can do for you might be leaving you alone.”
Nebula reached across the table.
She placed her hand over his.
Gilbert didn't close his fingers around hers.
He waited.
Nebula squeezed.
May you like
Only then did he squeeze back.
---
