Will scanned their faces, hoping to kill the leader first.
Was that Teal? He was the right age but clean-shaven and bigger than Will would have expected, based on Benny’s description.
No. Not Teal.
At least, he didn’t think so.
But now, one rider separated himself from the pack and rode forward to face Will’s empty house, his eyes and nasty smile gleaming in the torchlight.
Again, not Teal.
It was Sully Weatherspoon.
CHAPTER 42
Sully smiled up at the darkened home and shouted, “Will Bentley! Come out here, you coward!”
Sully let a giggle slip.
It gave him a special thrill using that word against Will Bentley.
Coward.
Because, although Sully’s courage had previously been called into question, who had ridden all the way to the Thicket, employed these bloodthirsty raiders, and led them here?
Sully, that’s who.
And now, he had moved out in front of them to let Will Bentley know how it was going to be.
Not Teal, Sully.
Were those the actions of a coward?
Certainly not!
In fact, if anyone was being cowardly at this moment, it was Teal. Despite his reputation, gruff mannerisms, and tough talk, Teal remained at the center of his men, as if frightened to put himself in danger.
Well, Sully was not afraid. He was triumphant.
He could not wait to tell Father all about this glorious night.
This would wipe out all Father’s doubts and show him once and for all that Sully was a worthy heir to his plantation, fortune, and legacy.
Would even Father dare to do what Sully was doing now?
No. No, he would not. Alistair Weatherspoon would never put himself at such risk.
Drunk with glee, Sully stifled another giggle.
Then, drawing himself straight again, he shouted once more, “Will Bentley, come out here, you coward! If you surrender yourself, we will spare your family. But if you don’t, or if you fire a shot, everyone dies. And I meaneveryone. We’ll hunt them all down and kill every last one of them!”
It was a lie, of course.
Sully would kill them even if Will Bentley surrendered.
Killing the woman who’d spawned Will Bentley would be a pleasure. And with Pew now powerless, Rose Bentley was of no use to Sully. She might, however, seem downright useful to Teal’s men, who would have plenty of fun with her before putting a bullet through her brain.
The only one Sully would preserve—temporarily—was Maggie. Because he still had uses for her. Oh yes. He would use her again and again until he grew tired of it. Then he would dispose of her himself.
