“Drop the gun, Jason. We’ll investigate Abigail, but for now, you have to let Haylee go,” Laurel said, her voice calm. “Let me help you.”

Jason tilted his head. “Er, no.” He partially lifted Haylee and backed away toward the door. “Make one more move, and I will shoot her through the neck.”

Haylee gasped. Her face turned red. Then she panicked, kicking back.

Jason partially dropped her as she fought furiously against him. “Damn it.” In a swift move, he pointed the gun at Laurel and fired.

* * *

Fire exploded in Laurel’s upper arm and she flew back into Abigail, sending them both sprawling to the hard, dirt ground. Abigail rolled to the side and grabbed the gun, coming up on her knees.

“I wouldn’t,” Jason yelled, shoving Haylee toward them, his gun pointed at Abigail’s head.

Haylee fell into them, crying and shrieking.

“Shut up.” Abigail brought the gun down on Haylee’s head, and the blonde flopped once and then didn’t move. Abigail then looked up at Jason, the gun in her hand.

“Put it down,” Laurel hissed. There was no way Abigail could get the gun up and shoot before Jason killed her.

Abigail frowned but slowly put the weapon on the wooden dolly. “Take it easy, Jason. I think you’re confused. Let’s figure it out like we used to.”

Laurel tried to sit, her hand going to her wounded shoulder. Blood spurted between her fingers.

“At least it’s the same arm,” Abigail noted dispassionately.

Laurel panted in air as her body absorbed the pain and adrenaline flowed through her veins.

Jason pointed the gun at Abigail’s head. “You are afraid. Stop acting like you’re not.”

“She really isn’t,” Laurel breathed out, her arm on fire. “You’re wrong about her. No matter what you do, she won’t be afraid of you.” The man obviously needed fear; they couldn’t show any. “The only woman in this greenhouse who’s afraid of you is now unconscious.” Hopefully not injured too badly. “And she loves you. Don’t you feel anything for her?”

“I’ve tried!” Jason yelled, throwing up his hands and then quickly regaining his focus and pointing the gun at them again. “I really tried, but she just couldn’t make me happy. None of them made me happy.”

The guy was quickly unraveling.

Abigail set her hand on her thigh at the same level as the gun on the dolly. “Maybe it isn’t up to others to make you happy. After studying you for so long, I have to conclude that you can’t be happy. You will never be happy. Only you can control your future, Jason.” She jerked her head in the direction of his gun, even though the barrel was pointed at her. “Maybe it’s time to join your mother.”