Page 28 of The Bastard Heir (The Gilded West #2)

It wasn’t Derringer, but it could be Bennett.

Very much wanting to keep him alive for questioning, Castillo raised his gun and aimed for Bennett’s shoulder.

Something must’ve tipped him off; at the last moment he turned just enough that the bullet missed him and fired back.

Pain exploded in Castillo’s shoulder, as if someone had lanced him with a hot poker.

He didn’t have time to acknowledge it as he ran forward and fired again, but this time his bullet skimmed off the rock.

He was close enough to duck down beside the embankment for cover and could hear Bennett’s heavy breathing on the other side.

“Give up, Bennett. We’ve already taken out the others. It’s only a matter of time for you.”

“You think this is getting you any closer to my father?”

“It’s taking down a few barriers. As I said on the train, I don’t want or need you dead. I just want Derringer. Give up and I’ll let you walk.”

Bennett laughed. “You think I’ll give up my father and walk away?”

Castillo had hoped but had known all along the likelihood that he’d have to kill Bennett. “That’s your choice, Bennett. If you want to keep up the fight, then that’s on you, but he’ll pay for what he did.”

Bennett laughed again, and Castillo couldn’t help but wonder what the hell the man had to be so jolly about. Something was missing in this scenario, but Castillo couldn’t figure out what it was.

Since he was keeping Bennett occupied, Hunter and Zane were slowly making their way to the back side of the embankment. It’d only be a matter of minutes before they had Bennett surrounded. Castillo figured he’d get him to talk as much as he could while they waited.

“You still don’t know who my father is, do you?” Bennett taunted.

Something about that made Castillo’s blood run cold. It had occurred to him that Buck Derringer wasn’t the man’s real name, and after killing Castillo’s grandfather, he’d simply gone back to assuming his old identity. Was he missing something? “What do you mean?”

“Just you wait, Reyes. Soon enough everyone here will know who you really are. How do you think Papa Jameson will feel when he realizes his firstborn is a notorious outlaw?”

Castillo didn’t particularly care how Tanner felt about anything, but he didn’t want things to get difficult for Hunter and Emmy.

If it was revealed that Hunter had been involved with the gang, he could go to jail for a long, long time…

or even worse. Gritting his teeth, Castillo tightened his grip on his gun, and said, “No one would believe you.”

“Not me, hombre. You’re right, no one would believe me.”

“What in hell are you talking about, Bennett?” Then it hit him, and he realized why the man was talking crazy and laughing like he wasn’t in the middle of a shootout. “You’ve been shot.”

Bennett laughed again, and this time it was followed by a moan.

Castillo darted around the rock and trained his gun on the man.

Bennett fired, but the shot wasn’t even aimed and went wide.

Bennett’s left forearm was bloody where it pressed against his belly.

It looked like he’d been shot in the arm, but when Bennett shifted, blood poured from a wound in his gut.

It flowed so fast that he only had a few minutes before he’d bleed out.

“Where’s Derringer hiding?”

Bennett smiled and it looked gruesome. His teeth were red with blood and some trickled out the corner of his mouth. “You won’t find him until he’s ready.”

There was movement behind Castillo on his left side. Bennett raised his gun in a weak grip, but could barely get it off the ground to fire. Hunter didn’t even flinch as he came up beside Castillo. A moment later, Zane came up on his other side, drawing Bennett’s attention.

“How do the whores like the scar I gave you, savage?”

“Hasn’t had much effect,” Zane deadpanned.

Hatred flashed in Bennett’s eyes. “I should’ve killed you for what you did to her.” Whatever else he might have said was cut off by a series of deep coughs as he struggled not to suffocate in the blood.

Zane tensed. One look at his face and Castillo knew he was cursing the fact that Bennett’s death was depriving him of the retribution he’d planned.

All those nights they’d spent out under the stars, eating their dinner around a fire and planning revenge, and this was how it ended for Zane.

The man who’d cut his face, the man who’d taunted him and said that he’d rather see his own sister dead than married to a “half-breed savage” was now dying.

“Christine came to me, Bennett. She loved me,” Zane said, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

Blood flowed from Bennett’s mouth now, far more than the earlier trickle, but still he managed to spew his hatred as he slumped over, too weak to stay upright.

“She’s married now—” his words were interrupted with a watery cough “—to a decent man.” His eyes fluttered and he coughed again.

“Doesn’t change the fact that she’s a whore. ”

Zane clenched his jaw so tight, Castillo could hear his teeth grinding.

Bennett had found Zane and his sister together one night.

They’d nearly come to blows, but Bennett hadn’t stood a chance against Zane’s bigger size.

When Derringer had come back to burn down the hacienda, Bennett had come with him, intending to kill Zane. He’d only been able to disfigure him.

Castillo looked over at his friend, but a flash of movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention. Bennett had raised his gun in a surprisingly steady and strong grip and was pointing it at Zane. Before Castillo could adjust his aim and pull the trigger, a shot rang out.

The shot came from so close, it filled the air with the acrid burn of the ignition.

Bennett’s eyes went blank and he slumped onto the ground.

Zane didn’t say a word as he holstered his gun.

Castillo rested his hand on Zane’s shoulder.

“Let’s go get Derringer. Then it’ll be over.

” Zane nodded and they made their way to their horses, ready to follow the trail of dust, hoping it was Derringer.

Bennett’s words weighed heavily on Castillo’s mind.