A seasoned bounty hunter, Ben Brigade, captures notorious outlaw Billy John and sets off to Santa Cruz to deliver his captive and claim the reward. Brigade's solitary trek becomes a perilous journey when he crosses paths with two outlaws, Sam Boone and his sidekick Whit, who have their own designs on Billy John. Sam Boone is known to be a man with a past, much like Brigade himself, and he seeks a pardon that would come with the delivery of the wanted man.

Their uneasy alliance is further complicated by the addition of two more travelers: a widow named Mrs. Lane, whose husband was killed by Native Americans, and a stationmaster with his own motivations. The group faces constant threat not just from the hostile environment and Native American attacks, but also from within, as hidden agendas and the shadow of Billy John's brother, Frank, looms over them—a man feared for his ruthlessness and vengeful nature who is determined to rescue Billy John. Together, Brigade and his volatile companions must navigate the treacherous landscape, each driven by their own deep-seated desires and secrets.