True Perfection [Aspire 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Allyson Young Page B

strong that he was no longer a necessary part of Haley’s life. It was killing him, and he was desperate for answers, even if it meant pushing her at this difficult time. Gordon resolved to talk with Warren first, if at all possible, because he couldn’t figure this out and he was running out of patience. His fear of losing Haley precluded careful planning. He brooded as he watched her kneel beside the hospital bed, waiting for Warren to wake and need something.
    “Good morning, or is it afternoon?” Warren’s rusty voice forced Gordon from his thoughts. Haley came up like a setter on point, and Gordon wanted to shake her. Who the hell was this woman? No one he knew, and his heart ached at the loss.
    “What do you need, Warren?” Haley’s soft, placating voice made Gordon’s teeth grind together, and he got up from the chair. Time to test her recent apparent obedience.
    “I’ll take care of things, Haley. Go and eat some lunch and then go outside and take a walk. Get some fresh air.”
    Haley looked at him, and he steeled himself against the plea in her eyes, wishing she would challenge him. When she looked to Warren, Gordon took her arm and hauled her to her feet.
    “Now, sub.”
    It broke his heart to see the woman he knew as a feisty, passionate wench duck her head and quickly leave the room. However, it also suited his purpose for the moment, and Gordon turned back to Warren.
    “What the hell is going on, Gordon?”
    Gordon poured Warren a glass of water from the carafe on the table and stuck a straw into it. Warren manipulated the controls to electrically raise the head of his bed and took the glass, emptying it in two strong pulls. Gordon refilled it and set it within reach, then pulled the chair closer to the bed.
    “I have no idea, Warren,” he said. “Well, I might have a few theories, but I’m kind of stumped. Haley is like a zombie or a windup toy. She hasn’t left your side since they allowed her into your room, and has become your total slave, whether you’re awake or not.”
    Gordon watched the myriad of emotions play across Warren’s face. Warren didn’t hide behind that aloof, arrogant persona anymore, and it was a relief. He continued with his explanation even though he felt a hit of guilt over trying to do this while Warren wasn’t up to par.
    “I could tell her to do anything, and as long as it didn’t detract from your care or outright harm you, Haley would do it. It nearly killed her to leave the room just now, but she didn’t protest. Her job is gone, and she didn’t say a word.” Gordon put his hand up to silence Warren when his friend began to share his opinion of Nick Lewis in unflattering terms. “I even suggested we take that cursed vacation, and she agreed, despite the fact that the idea of it terrifies her. Maybe you can shed some light on this. Because I’m feeling left out in the cold here, buddy. I thought Haley cared about me, loved me, and now I don’t think she feels much of anything, although she’s clearly fucking devoted to you.”
    Warren rolled his head on the pillow. He spoke with a strength that was at odds with his appearance. “I don’t do much other than sleep and think, Gordon. I might have a clue. Haley keeps saying she’s sorry. Each and every time I open my eyes, she apologizes. What do you think she’s sorry for, Gordon?”
    Gordon fought incredulity and elation in equal parts. It was like blinders had fallen from his eyes. Haley thought she was to blame for that idiot stabbing Warren! She hadn’t fallen out of love with him. He had been too close to the situation to read her. She thought the stabbing was her fault and had decided to make amends in the best way that she knew, by subjugating her own needs. She had become expert at that way of life when she’d lived with Warren previously.
    “Gordon? I’ll be out of here by the end of the week, and we are going to have a discussion with Haley. In the meantime, I want you to take her home. I