^ Bronte owned the police department and all it's manpower. He could've easily sent down the entire Saint Denis law on Colm if he desired, so no need to use his own elite guards to fight Colm.
Also, the fact that Colm DID get caught proves just how weak his gang is by no being able to protect him. Yes they had a plan t rescue him, but it's obvious they would get caught immediately and killed on the spot. As just a couple of cops (and yes, sniper Arthur) managed to fend themselves against a full wagon of backup O'Driscolls.
But let's not go off topic. Jack was safer with Bronte as there's no reason for Colm to fight Bronte as they're already fighting Dutch (and are losing).
At the very least, Dutch should've waited until he defeats Colm and finds a safe spot for the gang before he took Jack back.
Yeah but there's even much more to deal with in his life.
Spoiler:
Like Edgar Ross killed his dad... John Marston and Edgar Ross gets what he deserves from Jack Marston.
It's A Hard Life...
Them still being alive as a gang at this point in time still proves how strong of a gang they were Comb could've gotten captured in a multitude of ways hell The pinkertons could've caught him could've been a job gone wrong and all the O'Driscoll's you find captured in sheriff wagon's always being halfway rescued until Arthur shows up and kills them just proves that Comb has so many men and if Arthur doesn't take out everyone they would've rescued Comb and in your theory world if Jack isn't reunited with the gang it's most likely because the gang is dead I don't see any other reason why they would leave Jack and when comb is saved they ether leave or stay and have some sort of problem with Bronte which would lead to Comb sneak attacking him the same way because he's not stupid he made the plan to kidnap Arthur and Dutch had no clue what happened till Arthur got away Comb would realize the cops are on Bronte's side and he would need to take him out if he wants any money from Saint Dennis
^ Because he could've just locked Jack in some basement to save some money. But he went on his way to clear a big room in his own mansion, fill it with toys, books and give it all away for Jack. He feed Jack with food from his own kitchen. He taught (at least tried) Jack Italian.
It shows he cared and liked Jack. And clearly has a big heart for homeless children, considering he takes even low life urchins under his wing.
And we don't see Bronte having kids of his own, maybe he planned to even adopt Jack?
Overall it's obvious that if the gang never showed up he would still keep Jack since he already knew about the fact that the dead Braithwaiths can't pay him for keeping Jack but he still kept him.
And ffs Jack calls him papa. He doesn't even call JOHN papa.
He didn't know the braithwaites were dead until the gang showed up so he still had an incentive to keep the kid alive and keep him well fed so that the gang would give money because if the gang thought the kid was in danger they woulda showed up like they did at the braithwaith manner and just because he kept Jack living good for a few days doesn't mean a thing and where are you getting this information that he liked Jack just because he kept him well fed and in a Room with toys that could have been for his nieces and nephews and he just put him in that room we don't know anything about Bronte they didn't show any interaction with Bronte and Jack at all
So what that just means he said call me papa Bronte like narcissistic egomaniac
Like I love how you were telling me to pay attention to the game about the O'Driscoll's mean while your over making up relationships with in the game and saying they were closer than they actually were presented in the game and saying Bronte possibly wanted to adopt like what game were you playing
^ Oh, you twist words... you lie shamelessly.... I LOVE YOU! Give this man a drink!