Page 18 of Sweet Whiskey

DALLAS

Tying off the last of the fence, I lift the bottom of my shirt and wipe the sweat from my face.

“Water?”

I nod, taking the bottle from Colt and ripping off my shirt to pour it over my head.

“Holy fuck. It’s like a cowboy porn fantasy come true.” A raspy female voice startles the three of us.

It takes a few blinks to see Brooks’s amused face and the two women standing to his side. My heart skips a beat at seeing Kinsey, but I know it’s the blonde at her side that made the comment. Kinsey’s cheeks are deep red, nearly matching her hair, and I stand straighter .

I shake out my wet hair and push it away from my face. “Hi, Kinsey.”

She bites down on her lip. “Hi, Dallas. I met your brother earlier.”

My eyes widen in surprise then I groan. “Whatever he said…just know the only thing identical about us is our looks.”

Maverick moves closer to them, crossing his arms as he glares at Brooks. “What are they doing here?”

Brooks shrugs. “None of you were answering. She wants to speak to Colt.” He nods at Kinsey.

The girl standing next to her scoffs, folding her arms and glaring back at Mav. “Is that how you greet me after the other night?”

A growl rumbles out of his throat and he stalks toward her, grabbing onto her forearm and pulling her away from us. I watch curiously because I’ve never seen Maverick show interest in anyone.

Kinsey’s mouth opens in concern .

“Leave it. She’s safe with him,” Colt interrupts, watching Kinsey with an intensity that has me moving a step back. “Are you okay?” he asks.

Kinsey’s face transforms from soft concern to a flurry of anger. She stomps over, poking a finger into his chest. “No, I’m not okay. I told you I was looking for someone and you lied! Lied straight to my face.”

Brooks and I exchange a glance. This isn’t looking good if Colt is already ruining our chances to court her. Everything in my being tells me that Kinsey is meant for us, but omegas can be stubborn if their alphas betray them deep enough.

Colt grabs her wrist, pulling her closer. “I did lie, but you have to understand where I’m coming from. You’re a stranger, and you were asking about the man who practically raised me. I felt more protective of him than inclined to give you your answers.”

Some of her gusto leaves while my eyebrows furrow.

“You’re looking for Levi?” I ask, glancing at Brooks, who doesn’t look surprised by the revelation.

Frustration flares in my chest. I’ve known both of them for years and grown closer to them than anyone else on the ranch, but they’re still too prideful to accept we’ve already started the bonds of a pack.

“You both knew? That’s why we went to the bar,” I say with a shake of my head and a sigh.

Kinsey’s attention snaps to me, and I can see the hurt on her face.

Colt pulls her tighter to him. “No, whatever you’re thinking, I went because I wanted to see you.”

“Look, darlin’. You wouldn’t be the first woman to come looking for Levi. We’ve always been taught to turn them away. It’s nothing against you.” Brooks tries to soften the blow, but it has Kinsey’s back stiffening and her furious gaze landing on him.

“And what exactly do you think the reason I’m looking for him is?” she asks, voice laced with venom.

Brooks scratches at the back of his neck, not wanting to entertain that question .

“Why don’t you tell us?” Colt says, letting go of her hand when she tries to yank it away from him.

She glares up at him. “You didn’t trust me, yet you had no problem taking me out back and getting me off.”

Colt’s face darkens with the accusation. “I get you’re upset, but don’t question my intentions with you, Kinsey. You know what’s happening between us is more than just run-of-the-mill lust.”

Something flashes in her eyes, but her head tilts down. We wait in silence for a moment before Colt lets go of her and she steps back, crossing her arms.

“I think he’s my dad,” she finally admits.

“What?” Maverick shouts, glaring at Kinsey. She gazes up at him, startled by his reappearance, and looks back at her blushing friend.

Kinsey tilts her chin up at him, pulling something from her back pocket. “My mom told me that this man is my father, and it’s the only thing she has of him. She didn’t know his name or anything, just this photo. ”

In a quick movement, Maverick rips it from her hands.

“Hey!” Kinsey exclaims, trying to get it back as Maverick holds it out of her reach.

Growls grow in mine and Colt’s throats that have both of the women gasping. Kinsey’s hand lands on my chest, stroking it gently. “Hey, Dallas. Colt. Look at me.”

Maverick hands back her photo with a scowl. “How does she know that’s your father?”

She tucks it back into her pocket and glares at him. “If you don’t know how sex works, I can explain it to you. But usually people fuck, and sometimes a baby comes out nine months later.”

Mav’s fury is thunderous, and the blonde moves in front of him. “Let’s all calm down. Accusations were thrown, but take a deep breath. You too, Kinsey.”

He pulls the other omega into his arms. Relief eases my body and my hand falls onto Kinsey’s hip, squeezing it once to see if she’s okay. Kinsey gives me a weak smile in reassurance .

“While all the growling and shit is hot, can we get back to the point of finding her dad without the snarky comments?” says the woman huddled at Maverick’s side.

“Brielle—” Kinsey rubs at her face. “—I’m just trying to get answers.”

Maverick’s jaw tightens. “Where’s your mom? You sure she’s not just looking for money?”

Kinsey narrows her stare at him. “Hard to want money when you’re dead.”

We all wince. Maverick clears his throat before looking at Colt and nodding.

“We’ll have to drive out. I tried to keep him on the ranch, but he insisted on moving into a community,” Maverick says.

“A community?” Kinsey asks, confused.

“Like assisted living, kind of? The double hip replacement kind of made it hard for him to get around.” Maverick flinches.

I know he hates talking about his dad being injured.

“So we got him into this place where they all have their own apartments, but the staff checks in on them regularly and assists with any needs, like driving to the grocery store. It costs a fuckton, but it gives my dad a sense of freedom.”

Kinsey nods, a soft smile on her face. “I get that. I’m glad you’re able to provide that for him.”

Maverick scowls at her. “Because my dad worked hard to afford it, which is why we don’t appreciate people coming to claim to be his long-lost daughter.”

Her face pales for a moment before she glares back at him, resting her hands on her hips. “I’m not after money. I just want to know the last possible family member I have. Hell, we can do a DNA test and if it comes back negative, you’ll never see me again.”

Colt lets out a growl, and she points a finger at him. “You reel it in. You’re still on my shit list.”

Brooks puts on a pout. “What about me, Kinsey baby?”

“Did you know I was looking for Levi?”

His lips thin into a white line, and she scoffs before turning to me.

“And you?”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “I had no idea. I was simply invited to a bar because apparently there was a really hot omega, and they were right.”

Her eyes twinkle with amusement. “Then you’re not on the list.”

I give Colt and Brooks a taunting grin, and the latter flips me off.

Brielle snickers before turning to face Maverick, digging her nail into his chest. “Turn down your attitude on my best friend before I make you regret it.”

Maverick licks his lips before staring down at her with a heated smirk. “How’d you make me regret it?”

Kinsey holds up her hand. “Nope, nope. Don’t even get Brielle started on her sexcapades. Can we meet Levi today?”

With a tight jaw, Maverick shakes his head. “No. It’s already getting late into the afternoon. I’ll call over to set us up in the meeting hall for Monday morning. ”

Even I grimace at Maverick's harsh command and wipe my hands on my jeans. “Then how about we all wash up and grab some food?”

Kinsey steps away from us. “I think we’ll just head back to the inn and meet up with you guys Monday.”

“Breakfast then. Don’t pull away from us, Kinsey. Please,” Colt says. He wipes his hands on his jeans and takes a step closer to her. “Just give me a chance to explain.”

Brooks clears his throat. “We wrangle horses for a living. We got the patience and the stubbornness to wait it out.”

Kinsey’s lip quirks, and she rolls her eyes before nodding once. “Fine, breakfast then.”