Read Diablo for Free Online Page A

going to show it.
    â€œHang on,” Kane said. The wound wasn’t too bad. The boy would survive. But for what? To get caught in a shoot-out here? To see his uncle and perhaps his sister go to prison?
    He thought about how the girl had looked so determined as she’d held a gun on him, and yet she had to have been scared. And the boy trying so hard to be a man …
    What in the hell were they doing here?
    Keep your distance , he told himself. You can’t afford pity, or sympathy or … anything else.
    The boy slumped farther in the saddle. “What’s your name?” Kane asked.
    â€œRobin,” the boy replied in a weak voice.
    â€œWell, Robin, you’re going to be fine. Just try to keep awake.”
    The boy struggled to sit up straight.
    â€œDon’t,” Kane said. “I’ll hold you.”
    â€œI can do … it myself.”
    â€œI know,” Kane said softly, fighting off the unwanted memories that were beginning to surface. Memories of Davy’s family rescuing him from hunger and fear.
    The strange little town came into view, and the street that wasn’t anywhere on a map. “The first house,” the boy said. Several people had gathered in front of the stone and adobe house, which was the finest in Sanctuary, Kane had noticed.
    He guided the horse to the hitching post, and Nat Thompson, his face red and full of anger, reached for his nephew.
    Kane helped lower the boy, and another man, a huge man with biceps like tree trunks, carried him inside. The girl, who had been watching from the porch, followed, leaving Kane alone in the street.
    He was ready to turn his horse and return to the hotel when an older man he hadn’t seen yet walked out the door.
    â€œCome inside,” the man said.
    It wasn’t an invitation, and Kane had to tamp down his resentment before he dismounted.
    When he reached the door, the man stuck out his hand. “I’m Mitch Evers.” Wondering exactly what Evers’s role was, Kane took the man’s hand, somehow understanding that he didn’t extend it often.
    â€œI hear you offered to take blame for the shooting,” Evers said. “That won’t be necessary. John Yancy is now being escorted from Sanctuary. He won’t be back.” There was a hardness to his voice that belied the slight smile on his lips.
    Kane didn’t ask any questions. He just nodded and turned to leave.
    â€œNat wants to see you. He’ll be here as soon as he makes sure Robin is all right.”
    â€œThe boy should be okay,” Kane replied. “He lost a lot of blood, but I don’t think the bullet hit anything serious.”
    â€œYou sound like you know a lot about wounds.”
    â€œI was in the war four years.”
    Evers nodded, and the two men went inside to a large main room. Evers went to a cabinet and turned to Kane. “Want a drink?”
    Kane nodded.
    Evers poured one. He didn’t look at Kane. “Not curious about Yancy?”
    â€œIt’s none of my business.”
    â€œThen why did you interfere out there?”
    â€œI figure a gunshot in my vicinity is my business.”
    Evers chuckled. “Mebbe so.” He handed Kane a glass filled with amber-colored liquid. Kane took it, sipped appreciatively. It was good whiskey.
    Evers waved a hand toward a chair, and Kane sat. Like everything else about this house, the chair was good quality and comfortable.
    Kane sensed that being invited inside Nat Thompson’s home was unusual. His first meeting with Thompson had suggested nothing but cold professionalism. Through no design on his part, Kane had apparently made a unique place for himself, and he didn’t care for it. He had made his offer to the Thompson girl instinctively, and now he was in the home of Sanctuary’s mayor, drinking his whiskey. Masters would be proud. Kane squirmed a little, feeling dirty inside.
    The door to another room opened, and Nat Thompson