Page 43 of The Bastard Heir
Miller shook his head. “If I did I’d have gone to find him myself.”
Despite this new information, Derringer was still out of reach. Though maybe knowing his real identity would give them a better place to start with their search. Castillo sighed. “Help me find Derringer and we’ll get you out of your debt. No one has to know.”
Miller hesitated, glanced around the room again and nodded his consent.
Castillo let out a breath and thought of the woman who had come to mean more to him than he’d thought was possible in such a short time. What had she done with her hasty decision to defend him? Would Derringer try to hurt her now? He didn’t know, and the frustration of that was threatening to eat him up inside.
Tanner rose to his feet and grabbed his cane, leaving Hunter to deal with Miller. “Come on, Castillo. I suspect we have some people anxious to talk with us inside.”
Castillo had no doubt that was true, and followed Tanner out into the night. They were halfway across the yard to the house before Tanner broke the silence between them.
“I’m disappointed you didn’t come to me about this Derringer situation, son.”
“I’m not in the habit of coming to you with my problems.”
Tanner sighed, his shoulders slouching in a dejected manner. “I know, and I know that’s my fault. But I want to be better, Castillo.”
They’d just reached the porch and he turned to look at Castillo from the bottom step. The house was quiet, and Castillo hoped that meant everyone had gone to bed. Everyone except Carolina and her parents. He knew they’d be waiting up for him.
“Marisol and I grew apart. We probably never should’ve married in the first place.”
Castillo gave him a mirthless smile. “I’ve done the figuring. I realize I was born six months after your wedding. You don’t have to explain to me why you married her.”
Tanner gave him a solemn look. “That wasn’t your fault, and it’s no excuse for the father I’ve been to you. I sent letters and money and did everything but come down there myself. I know I could’ve tried harder when you were younger. I should’ve triedharder. Part of me thought it would be better for you if you didn’t have me in your life confusing everything. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think about you.”
“It’s better you didn’t come. Papá had given orders you were to be shot on sight.” Castillo tried to make light of the situation, because he’d actually always assumed Tanner had never thought of him. Why would he think of a little boy he’d left behind when he had all this?
Tanner laughed. “I’m not surprised. Your grandfather always hated me.” Then he sobered and continued, “I want you to know that I will always support you. I don’t want you putting yourself at risk when I could help you.”
“It’s not your problem.” Castillo began, but Tanner shook his head.
“You are mine, Castillo, whether you want to be or not. My blood is in your veins. You are my son.” Then he took a deep breath and glanced toward the quiet house. “We don’t need to talk about the shootout and this Derringer situation right now, but I do need to know what we’re planning to do about this.” He pointed toward the door. “Was Caroline lying to give you an alibi?”
Castillo hesitated before answering. “I wasn’t with her…not that day.”
“She’d risk her reputation for you when she wasn’t even with you?” Tanner raised his brow.
Castillo knew at that moment that whatever barriers he was trying to keep between them would crumble beneath the force of her. He loved her. There was no maybe. He loved her. But he needed to keep her safe. That was the most important thing. And she wouldn’t be safe with him.
Tanner cleared his throat. “What do you plan to do about this situation?”
Castillo shook his head, still no closer to an answer. “The safest place for her is far away from me.”
Prudence stepped out the front door and drew up short when she saw them. “My apologies for interrupting, gentlemen. Caroline’s parents have asked to speak with you.”
***
Caroline couldn’t sit there any longer and fidget under her parents’ scrutiny. She rose and paced near the bookshelves on the opposite side of the room. It kept her parents from staring at her and for a few minutes that was enough. Then she started thinking of how angry Castillo had looked when she’d last seen him. Would he be angry when he came to the study? She didn’t know what would happen and started fidgeting all over again.
The only thing she did know was that she didn’t want to face him for the first time since the incident with her parents present. She wanted to talk to him alone first. With that goal in mind, she slipped out the door of the study and waited in the shadowed hallway. It was quiet and she hoped that Emmy had herded all the guests off to bed. She didn’t have to wait long before she heard their boots clicking on the hardwood floor.
Squaring her shoulders, she held her breath as Mr. Jameson, Castillo and Aunt Prudie came around the corner. Mr. Jameson inclined his head and gave her a gentle smile.
“I’d like to speak with Castillo alone for a minute first.” Caroline let her gaze float to each of them, briefly taking in Castillo’s unreadable expression, before looking back at Mr. Jameson. “If that’s all right,” she added.
Mr. Jameson looked to Aunt Prudie, who nodded. “I think that’ll be fine, dear. You have a lot to talk about. Don’t keep them waiting too long, though.” When Caroline gave her agreement, Mr. Jameson opened the door for her aunt, and then followed her inside the room.
Caroline’s breath nearly squeezed from her chest when they were left alone in the hallway. She wasn’t certain of what to say now, but she didn’t have to wait long for Castillo to start.
