Page 13 of The Bastard Heir (The Gilded West #2)

“A bit of both, I suppose,” Tanner said with an easy grin.

“There’s no question it takes money. Lots of it.

But it also takes a lot of convincing the right people that we’re not just a bunch of lawless, immoral heathens.

I expect we’ll see some changes coming to Helena soon.

Saloons, brothels and gambling dens will have to be brought down to a manageable number.

We’ll have to do our part to fit in with Eastern expectations. ”

“I’ve known many heathens with greater moral character than most of the men in Washington.”

Tanner paused, perhaps wondering if he’d been included in that group, before inclining his head in agreement.

“Won’t closing those places anger a lot of people?” Castillo asked. “Those places cater to the people who work the mines.”

“They do, but the times are changing. We’re not just a mining town anymore.

There are families here, businesses, schools and churches.

It’s time to move forward.” Tanner took a deep breath, as if he had something else he wanted to say but didn’t know how to start.

Finally he let the breath out and met Castillo’s gaze.

“We can talk about Montana statehood all night if you want, but that’s not why I asked you to come in here. ”

Castillo clenched his jaw, already preparing for what he knew was coming.

“I want you to accept the income from your silver mine and acknowledge your interest in the Jameson Mining Company.”

On Castillo’s first and only other visit with his father, Tanner had mentioned the silver mines he’d bought in both of his sons’ names years ago.

Apparently they both produced a healthy income.

Castillo had refused his in no uncertain terms. But when he’d returned home to Texas, and his grandfather had made him aware of the financial state of the hacienda, Castillo had been tempted to soften his stance.

His outrage at his father couldn’t withstand his sorrow at seeing his grandfather’s dream crumble around him.

When he would’ve weakened, his grandfather had urged him to stay strong, saying that he’d never allow Tanner’s dirty money to sully the hacienda’s good name. Hunter had taken over the management of both mines, and Castillo still wanted no part of his.

At some point since his first visit, Tanner had redrawn his will so that Hunter and Castillo shared in the estate equally.

He’d also made them partners in the Jameson Mining Company.

Hunter had urged him many times to accept his share, but Castillo had refused.

If standing strong against Tanner was the only way to honor his grandfather, the man who’d raised him, then that’s what he’d do.

Making the hacienda a success wouldn’t mean anything if it was accomplished with Jameson money.

“I have no interest in your money, Tanner. You know that.” Castillo clenched his hand around the tumbler, while the other balled into a fist at his side, as unreasonable anger coursed through his body.

He shouldn’t feel this angry. Logically, he knew that it wasn’t productive.

He’d spent too many years rationally weighing his options and outsmarting those who were a threat to the brotherhood to allow anger to rule him now.

But, just for a moment, he indulged it, allowing it free rein. “I don’t want anything from you.”

“It’s your inheritance, Castillo.” Hunter’s voice was soft but firm when he spoke, his expression earnest.

“No, it’s your inheritance, and you’re entitled to it.

Take it with my compliments.” Castillo looked back to Tanner’s wary eyes.

“It’s not my inheritance. You abandoned her.

” He’d never spoken so plainly to the man.

On that first visit, he’d barely said more than to introduce himself and hand him the letter his mother had written.

Tanner had spoken, but Castillo hadn’t. He’d been too angry, and too surprised and overwhelmed by that anger and his grief over his mother’s death, to say much.

“Castillo, you must know…I didn’t simply abandon Marisol. I asked her to come with me.”

Castillo’s breath caught in his chest. He’d never heard Tanner say his mother’s name before.

Something about hearing it now made their relationship seem more real, which was foolish because of course it had been real.

Castillo was living proof. The green eyes with a tint of gold he saw every time he looked into a mirror were staring back at him now.

The strong jaw and wide shoulders had both come from the man sitting across from him.

He’d never known that Tanner had tried to take his mother with him when he left. She’d never told him that, but it didn’t matter. “If she said no it was with the understanding that you’d come back for her, and she never saw you again. You abandoned her.”

“There’s more to it than that, Castillo. It’s more complicated.” Tanner was agitated. He set his whiskey on the table beside him and dragged a hand over his chin.

“I’m certain there’s more to it, but it’s not all that complicated.

You were more interested in building a fortune, in this—” Castillo raised a hand to encompass the opulence of the room “—than you were in honoring your commitment to her. After all, what better way to solidify your ambition than to marry into a political family like the Hartfords? Something tells me a Reyes for a wife wouldn’t have held as much political weight.

” Castillo jerked his gaze toward the fire.

He hadn’t meant to drag those old demons out.

He’d told himself when he found out Tanner would be here that he’d stick to benign topics and avoid the man as much as possible.

The room went silent, with only the crackling of the wood as it burned filling up the air. Finally, Tanner said, “I’m sorry for what happened with your mother. Sorrier than you’ll ever know. I can’t change the past, but I’d like a fresh start with you.”

A fresh start. As if Castillo could just wipe away how it felt to grow up without his father.

As if he could forget how helpless he’d felt every time he found his mother crying.

As if he could forget the way people looked at him when it had become known that Tanner had married someone else.

Castillo wasn’t a bastard, but having it known that your father had thrown you away to start another family was pretty damn close to the same thing. “Why do you deserve that, Tanner?”

“I probably don’t. I deserve as much of your anger as you want to throw at me. But that’s not going to bring either of us any happiness. Also, I’d like for you to call me Father, at least this week while people are here.”

Castillo shook his head and rose to his feet, setting his tumbler down on the mantel.

“Thank you for your recommendation. Miguel wouldn’t have been accepted to the university without it and whatever favors you requested.

I do appreciate that.” Castillo had also paid the tuition from the silver mine’s account.

It was the least he could do after Miguel had almost been killed, but that’d be the only money he’d take.

“But that’s the extent of this. I’m here because of Hunter, because he’s asked me to stand up next to him when he marries Emmy.

Alejandro Reyes raised me as his own. He’s my father. ”

“You’re just like him, Castillo. Too proud and stubborn. He wouldn’t accept any of the money I offered him over the years. If he had, maybe things would’ve gone better for him.”

Maybe he’d still be alive and the hacienda wouldn’t be a failure. Tanner didn’t say that, but that’s what he meant. Castillo hadn’t known about Tanner offering his grandfather money over the years, but it didn’t change anything. Turning, he walked from the room.

There was some rustling behind him, and he assumed Tanner or maybe both of the men got to their feet. Then he heard Hunter say, “Let him go, Pop.”

Whatever else Hunter said faded into the darkness as Castillo made his way to the stairs.

He took them two at a time and found his bedroom.

He’d take his things and move into the bunkhouse for the week.

They’d need as many bedrooms as they could get for the guests that would arrive, anyway.

He wouldn’t sleep under this roof, not while Tanner was here to see it as some sort of capitulation.

Yet as soon as he walked into his bedroom, he realized that he couldn’t leave.

Caroline was down the hall and he needed to stay close to her.

He cursed and kicked over the ottoman just before plopping down into the overstuffed chair before the cold fireplace.

That woman was going to be trouble. He’d have to watch her day and night to make sure she kept her end of their ill-advised bargain.

An unwelcome vision of her as she’d been on the train swam through his mind. She’d been soft and sweet in his arms, an almost direct contradiction to the woman he’d met earlier tonight. That woman had been all challenge and confidence. He wanted to figure out how both personalities melded together.

He sucked in a breath and leaned forward to hold his head in his hands. Spending time with her was going to be challenging. There was no denying that she intrigued him. He’d never met a woman so certain of herself and what she wanted. It didn’t help that he was attracted to her.

This was going to be a tough week.