The next morning Petals nudges Kade's back with her wet nose, demanding to go out. "Alright," his voice comes out gruff as he shifts his arm up to push off, only to cup a girl's chest instead.

"Kade, not again. I'm so feckin' sore." Truly groans and rolls away toward the wall.

Kade raises a brow, slightly amused at the idea of being shot down when he didn't even offer. His mirth quickly fades though when he realizes he'd somehow hurt her with their repeated beddings. A custom most Atlanteans practice, including his own family, to ensure the line while proving they can sate the other. One he assumed she'd want to follow since she seemed worried about encompassing their traditions. I hadn't meant for it to hurt her. I just wanted to show her I was serious. Perhaps it's because she was a virgin. I've never been with another who was.

Unable to do anything about it now, he shifts forward, placing a kiss on the side of her neck. "I have to take Petals out. I'll be back soon, Treasure."

Truly hums in response and curls into the blankets more.

Slipping out of bed, Kade slips a pair of workout shorts on and unlocks the door heading out into the hall with Petals as he heads down the stairs. The smell of breakfast wafts through the air, reminding him just how hungry he is. I can just swing in after. Kade's eyes widen in realization. Fuck, Truly. I don't even know what she prefers to eat or if she'll want to come down here. Some girls, particularly the lasses who are more than just a one-night fling, dislike mingling with the rest of them.

Opening the door to the backyard for Petals, Kade's instantly hit with a strong breeze as the trees around the house bend and groan. The torrent of rain even has Petals pausing for a moment before she reluctantly heads out into the tropical storm to do her business.

This thing's going to last a few days. Just the smell and the way the clouds are moving tell him so. When an ominous crack fills the air, Kade tenses. A rush of adrenaline fills him as a large tree branch plummets straight towards Petals. "To me!" He bellows in Russian, the branch narrowly missing her as she dutifully runs to his side. Thank god. A wave of relief fills Kade as he drops beside her and runs his hands over her. "Good girl. Good girl." As smaller branches break and take to flight and a few chairs slide, his jaw tenses. Why wasn't any of this shit secured?

Throwing open the door, he storms into the nearby dining hall with Petals by his side, looking like the High Captain he is. "Batten down the hatches!" He loudly decrees, making many of his brothers jump to their feet. "Get on the horn and tell Theta Sig and the others to do the same. Use the warning system under my name for the row if ye have to. Just get me for my authentication when it's time."

Jumping to his feet, the vice president of the fraternity nods and heads up to do so.

"There's shit flyin' around out there, yet none of you thought ta secure it?!" He throws the locals of the island a dark look.

Some pledges instantly jump on their feet, intent to pull their weight, but Kade throws an arm out. "It's too late for anything on the deck, we've lost it." Just as he says it, a chair outside the dining hall windows gets caught by the wind and flies for a bit before it drops into the pool. "Focus on lowering the storm shutters. I want seasoned men out here." He points to the big bay windows and the glass doors that lead outside. "Securing that. Make sure to at least have two lookouts. If ye ain't from the island or don't know how to handle yourself in a storm like this, stay inside and the fuck out of our way."

When one girl at the table jumps up and bolts for the front door, Kade's voice fills the room again. "Catch that lass and secure the rest! Tell the old sea salt he's bunking with us till it's over on my orders," he adds, referring to their cook. "Let our guests call and tell their people where they are. Head counts are about to go out. I want our numbers and who we got as extra. Now get to it!"

"Aye, aye!"

Confident his brothers will get it done, Kade heads up stairs bellowing the orders to batten down the hatches as he goes. I need to ensure my own room's secure. He'd left Truly asleep in his bed. The idea that something could fly through the window above his bed while she sleeps has him quickening his steps. When he opens his door, he finds her bent over his desk, wearing his shirt from last night, scribbling on a piece of paper.

I could get used to that view. "You secured the windows, good." Kade clears his throat, gaining her attention as he pushes down the urge to really bend her over the desk and take her. "We're battening the hatches and securing the doors. Use my phone." He gestures to the one on the desk beside her. "Call your sisters so they know you're secure. The wind's too strong, a damn branch nearly took out Petals."

Truly's gaze drops to the soaking wet dog. "Poor luv." She sets the pencil on the desk and turns toward him. "I'm gonna make a go of it. Nutless doesn't handle storms well, and he needs to be fed. I left yer jewels under Petal's bed. I t'ought t'ey'd be the safest t'ere."

Kade's expression hardens. "You're not going anywhere. The entire row is locking down and counts are being taken."

"I can make it. It's just a few houses up, and I'll serpentine." She makes a snake-like motion with her hand.

The hell you will. Striding up to her, Kade grabs her bicep and jerks her into him. "I nearly lost me dog just taking her out. I can't lose you because you're being stubborn."

"I-" Truly starts to argue until his words sink in, and for once, it shuts her up. A shocked look settles on her face as she stares up at him, dumbfounded. Kade's never acted like an ass, but she didn't think he cared either.

"Now use the damn phone to call whoever you need before the lines get too busy or we lose them."

"I tried, te phones are already gone." She lets out a small huff. "I may seem like a simpleton with me constant muttering, but I don't go runnin' out in storms unless I t'ink I ain't got another option."

"Are you hiding him?" Kade raises a brow, unable to not notice how his shirt gaps enough to give him a pleasant view down her cleavage.

"Noh."

"Then someone will look after him. You're not the only one stuck. I saw at least ten girls in the mess hall." He gestures towards his door. "There are more likely in the rooms and it'll be the same all over the row."

Truly's bottom lips pokes out in a little pout, knowing he's right. "Poor lad's scared and hidin' under me bed. I know he is."

"He'll be fine." Kade throws her a look that shows he doesn't see it as the big issue she's making it to be. "Heather can nag and mother him."

"Aye." Truly's gaze drops to his hand, gripping her arm. "Ye were t'at concerned that I was going to jump ship on ye t'at ye got to keep a firm grip?" Her gaze slides across his bare chest before it settles on his face.

"I just had a girl make a run for it and had to order her caught and the rest secured so they wouldn't do something foolish." Kade leans down, drawn naturally towards her lips. "Consider yourself secured. Don't make me put you in my chest with the rest of my treasure."

"I don't t'ink I'd fit." Truly's lips curl up in a smirk.

"Then I'll just use the old ways and tie ye to my bed," he breathes against her lips.

"Feck me sideways." Truly's eyes flutter, completely drunk on how close he is, and the thought of being tied up by him.

The corner of Kade's lip curls, "What happened to being sore?" His eyes automatically drop to the cusp of her legs, the view of her bare legs heating his blood. "Are you really?" A hint of concern fills his voice.

"Aye, a little, not too bad t'ough." Truly playfully bites her lip. "I may have said it cause I was tired."

"I'll keep that in mind for next time." He nips her lip. The desire to claim his new treasure grows, but he shoves it aside, knowing she needs a break. "Did you seriously put the Mogok ruby under me dog's damn bed?"

"Aye!" Truly takes a step back. "I was leavin'. Where else could I of put it that was safe? On top of yer bed?" She raises a brow, knowing that would have been stupid.

Muttering to himself because he knows she's not wrong, but he still doesn't like it, Kade pulls away and kneels down in front of his bed to fetch it out. "Don't make me chase ya and throw ya over my shoulder." He warns, disappearing below to put the pieces she'd worn away.

"It's so temptin' to run now." Truly shivers at the image of her being thrown over his shoulder and hauled back to his bed as she walks to the bathroom to get a towel to dry Petals off.

"Truly..." Kade's voice comes off stern.

"I'm gettin' a towel for te dog." She dips into the bathroom, and grabs a towel out of the shared bathroom, and walks back in, kneeling at the foot of Kade's bed. "Come here, luv." Truly tries to coax the dog over to dry her off.

Popping out from beneath the bed, Kade takes a seat and pulls Truly into his lap, a small gasp escaping her lips that brings a smirk to his face. "Come." Kade beckons Petals over in Russian. "She only speaks Russian."

When Petals walks up to them, Truly dries her. "I know yer a Brovern, but which Brovern?" She looks over her shoulder at him. "There are two main lines, right?"

"Aye, we have two. Tinley and Petrovick."

"Which are ye? Petrovick?" She guesses, since it's the more Russian sounding name.

Kade gives a small nod. "Though I side more with Tinley."

"Ye really don't get along with t'em." Truly's hand moves down to Petal's rump and vigorously dries her off, making the dog groan with delight. "Yer family."

"No, I fell out with them when I was fourteen." Though he'd been sliding out of favor for years before that. His father Nicoli had realized his middle son was too logically minded for this place, dangerously so. "Around then, my dad cast my omma aside. He claimed she was negatively influencing Brayden and me."

Truly finishes drying the dog off, and tosses the towel to the side, before scratching her behind her ear. She turns in Kade's arm to face him a little better as a frown forms on her face. "I take it Brayden's yer brother."

Kade nods.

"What happened to yer mum, t'en?" Petals steps into Truly's lap and rests her broad heavy head on her legs, gaining a smile from Tru.

"She didn't have a place ta go. Likely he meant for her ta leave the isles. When Draken didn't stand up for her against our father, I did." He paid for doing it too for the next two years. "I took her to the Adébáyọ̀s when my father threw her out. Then I walked out and joined her a few years later when I finally came of age. She still lives up in Libertalia, though she goes to Ravenwood often hoping to see my brothers."

Truly's hand stills for a moment at the drop of the name Adébáyọ̀ but quickly brushes it off. "Omma? Is that Russian for mum?"

Kade shakes his head as his fingers slide up and down her bare legs. "It's Korean, I'm not even a third Russian."

Truly's gaze snaps up to him, and studies his face. "You're part Korean?" Shock overtakes her. She would have never guessed that he had any Asian descent from him, judging by his looks.

"Half," his attention shifts towards his door as he hears people moving around outside. That's likely Hayden going to eat. "My mother was brought over as a mail-order bride."

"Me family sort of does the same t'ing, t'ough t'e girls get to pick t'em too. We do fast handfastings." Her lips turn up in a smirk. "I may have broke te record t'ough."

"Not the island one." Kade flashes her a grin as his eyes take in the time. We need to head down if we're eating at all. "If you want breakfast, we should go now. The old sea salt takes pleasure in reaping havoc on anyone who doesn't show up during the times he sets." Which vary depending on his moods.

"Right." Truly sighs as she looks down at Petals. "I finally get to pet yer dog, and get her in me lap, and now I gotta leave."

"I could say the same," his eyes pointedly drop to her sitting in only his shirt and her underwear in his lap.

"Aye." Truly chuckles as she shifts in his lap, making Petals move, before she stands up. "I can't go down like this." She glances down at his shirt, but doesn't have any other options.

"You can raid my closet as well as the one across the hall and the one we're linked to. None of them will mind."

"Ye all keep a lot of lasses clothes in ye closets?" She smirks as she unthreads her arms out of his shirt and pulls it down where the neck hugs her bust. Truly folds, tucks, and ties the shirt in such a way that the shirt looks like a strapless dress with the sleeves used as a sash. "T'ere we go. A dress."

Impressed, his eyes slide up her legs, admiring the view he has from this angle. "I think I like it better on you. Not over my gems though."

"Can't say ye jewels would make a good shirt."

Kade's blood briefly heats at the memory of her in nothing but them. "Not out there, no." I don't need others eyeing my treasure.

Truly steps away and grabs her sandals off the floor before slipping them on. Beside her, Kade reluctantly rises to his feet and moves to the door, not bothering to put a shirt on. She's not a fling, take her hand. As he opens his door Kade reaches back and takes her hand, something he's never done with anyone else.

Truly's gaze flick from their clasped hands to him. The only men's hands she's ever held is her father's and brothers'. It's a weird sensation for her, but it's rewardingly comforting. Together he leads her past several of his brothers' open doors, some with others within their rooms or girls. Several of them turn and glance at them, a few even do a double take at their joined hands, but most just nod. When they hit the lower level, Kade leads her into the mess hall, but he doesn't make it far before several of the islanders step forward to report in.

"Captain, we got ourselves a problem." An islander a few years older than him from the heavily African influenced island of Wintershall pushes his way up. "It been a lang time since sum check di generata. Wi nuh sure how lang it's a gonna laast. Might be half full eff we lucky. Dat wind di devils. Seen di table go flying miself. We gonna need a bit of yur luck ta get ta it."

Kade's lips thin, knowing how superstitious Winterfall is, and if one of them is asking, it means nobody's going out without some serious mojo on their side. As the descendent of Captain Drake, the man known for his devil's luck, he's the best talisman they've got. "Alright. We know we're good on Petrol though?"

"Aye. Ya run a tight ship, captain. Check it miself laas month."

"Alright, have the most seasoned gear up. I'll be right there." Kade turns towards Truly. "Go eat. Grab me a plate while you're at it. That old sea dog won't care I'm outside playin' in the gale."

"What do ye even like?" Truly's attention shifts from him to the dining hall.

"I'll eat whatever, just grab a bit of everything if ye want. There should be some kongnamul bab. It's a funny-looking rice set to the side for me. If you can't find it, just ask one of me brothers."

Truly nods, "An ounce of protection leads to a pound of security." An uneasy feeling settles in her gut. One that urges her to make a protection charm for him, but she doesn't have the ingredients or time to do it.

Kade nods, then turns on his heels, heading to gear up himself with the rest.

She walks into the large dining hall with several round tables and simple chandeliers that have candle-like lights. Truly licks her lips as she eyes the room with a fresh round of people sitting enjoying their breakfasts, before heading over to the buffet and grabbing a couple of plates. The spread is impressive. With no idea of what to get Kade, other than his weird rice, Truly fixes his plate like she would if she was preparing one for one of her brothers. Sausage, eggs, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and potatoes. She's pretty sure that if he's eating rice for breakfast, this isn't going to be his go to plate, but she doesn't have a clue where to start. For herself, she toasts a couple of slices of bread before spreading cream cheese and laying smoked salmon over it.

"Tea, tea, tea." She quietly sings out as she eyes the two plates. "Maybe I should set t'ese down first."

Truly walks over to a small round table with four white cloth chairs sitting around it and sets the two plates down, before going over to the drink station and grabbing a cup of Earl Grey for herself, and green tea for Kade.

"Where is t'at damn bowl of funny rice?" A frown crosses her face, having no idea what the hell that means, anyway.

"You mean the Kong bab shit Kade eats?" An all-American boy likely from said America asks as he comes beside her.

"Aye!" Relief settles over her. "Ye know of it?"

"It's right there." He points to a small ceramic red bowl with a lid on it sitting at the end of the buffet.

"Oh, t'ank ye. Yer a lifesaver." Truly walks over to her table, sets down the teas, quickly retrieves Kade's rice, brings it over to the table, and takes a seat.

Noting she's alone and aware most locals, including Kade, boot girls out of their rooms during the storms. A playboy grin crosses his face. "If you're alone, I'll happily keep you company."

Truly eyes the empty chair he's standing beside. "Sure. Be me guest." She nods to the chair.

Sliding into the empty spot next to her, the American smiles as he places his plate down. "Have we met before? I swear we have a class together?" He takes a bite of his breakfast, pausing as he finishes chewing. "I think it's chemistry."

Truly shakes her head, completely unaware that he gave her a pickup line. "I don't take chemistry. Art or photography, maybe?" She takes a bite of her toast, trying to place the guy, but she doesn't recognize him at all.

"Perhaps," he nods. "You're definitely picture perfect. Maybe you could pose for me later."

"Yeah, sure." Truly nods, thinking she's helping the guy with one of his projects.

As Kade strides back into the mess hall with a few of the others a while later, a scowl crosses his lips when he sees one of the biggest players from America sitting with Truly. No way in hell are you laying anchor in that harbor, Dillion. She's me personal one.

By the look on Dillion's face, Kade can just tell she's falling for his lines. The line's he himself has used before. Not about to let him touch her, he beelines straight for them and drops into the seat beside her where his plate and rice sit. "Thanks, lov." His eyes flick over to Dillion. "What have you and the yank been talking about while I was out making sure the lights stayed on?"

"We apparently take photography together." Truly's gaze shifts between the two of them. "He was askin' for help with a project."

"That so?" Kade throws his arm across the back of her chair and leans into her. "That's going to be a bit hard to do since I'm helping you study for biology all weekend."

Truly's brows knit together as she leans over to whisper, "I don't take biology."

"Yes, you do." His lip curls as his breath tickle her ear. "We reviewed it several times last night."

Truly stills as what he really means sinks in. Her neck and cheeks turn a deep shade of red. "Oh."

"Which is exactly the kind of lesson he was plannin' on giving you, Treasure." Kade softly whispers as a small smile graces his face. By thunder, I love it when she does that. Intentionally reaching over to brush a strand of her hair back as he throws a cool look towards Dillion. His body language making it very clear she's spoken for.

"Oh." Truly sits back in her chair and takes a bite of her toast, feeling like a complete idiot.

As Kade shifts to grab his bean sprout rice and a spoon, his eyes flick up to Dillion. "Why don't you set sail and set your sights somewhere else. She's truly taken, and I mean that the way Sawyer does."

A look of surprise crosses Dillion's face. He may not get the logic behind it, but he knows Sawyer's basically married to a girl named Sparrow.

Truly watches Dillion get up and leave with his food. "Who's Sawyer, and what do you mean the same way he does?"

"He's a senior from Rinneny." Kade's eyes lift to scan the room, but he doesn't see Sawyer around. "He's promised to Sparrow. She's a shy little blonde. Ye'd never see her in here. He brings her up her meals."

Truly's eyes grow wide in shock. "Ye basically told him," she nods to Dillion, "we were promised t'en?"

"Aye," Kade pauses as he goes to take a bite as a wary feeling slides over him. "You didn't want me to?"

"Noh. It's not t'at." Truly shifts in her chair, and her mind wonders how she will break this to her family. "I just t'ought t'at ye want us to keep a tight lip until ye were allowed to break it in a year. Ye did t'is fer yer friend." Her gaze drops to her toast. "It ain't normal hand fastin' circumstances."

Kade sets his rice down. "I would've just kicked you out of my room and never touched you again if I did it for Kill."

Truly's attention snaps up to him, taken aback by his response. "Then why'd ye do it?"

"I have my reasons," Kade leans back in his chair as his eyes casually scan the room. "And they aren't meant for this room, Treasure."

Truly nods and returns to her toast. After she takes a bite and swallows it, Truly nervously gnaws on her lip. "I don't mind people knowing, but do ye t'ink we could keep it to maybe our houses? Me family isn't gonna be happy that I'm hand fasted, and I need to figure out how to tell t'em. I don't need me brother over hearin' before I tell me mum and daddy, and t'at's not somethin' I want to break to t'em over te phone."

"Fine." You should have just kept your mouth shut, Brovern. Your longest record with a girl is a month. This shouldn't surprise you. You know the family record and everyone's view of us. Lifting his mug, Kade takes a sip, expecting coffee, but he finds green tea instead. His nose scrunches in disgust as he spits it back into the cup and sets it down to wipe his lips.

Truly grimaces as her gaze shifts between him and the cup. "Me apologies."

"What is this shite?" His eyes flick down to the cup.

"Green tea." Her nose scrunches up. "I t'ought cause ye had the rice that ye'd prefer green tea."

"No." Kade firmly replies. "Coffee, Turkish preferably. If I'm forced to drink tea, then barely. I'll be back." Kade rises and heads to get a real drink. When he has it, he rejoins her and happily drinks his Turkish coffee. Feeling her eyes on him, he lifts his cup. "Did you want to try it? It's good. Far stronger than others."

"Oh, noh." Truly leans away. "I don't like coffee, much less caffeine tar."

An amused grin crosses Kade's lips. "Did you just call my coffee tar?"

"Aye." Truly's lips curl with disgust. "T'at stuff is shite, but it is good fer reading."

Kade pulls his drink away from her and takes a sip. "Maybe after I finish it." He's had too many weird experiences with girls stealing his things. "And if you make it worth me while."

"Ye want me to pay ye for a readin'?" Truly chuckles as she sips her tea. "Usually it's the other way around."

"I have lost far too many cups of coffee to girls who hope to find things in them." Kade leans towards her and lowers his voice. "And I wasn't talking about coin."

"What were ye want-" Truly stops mid-sentence, realizing what he means with the aid of the heated look he's giving her. Her cheeks turn a deep shade of red. "Aye. T'at I can do."

"By thunder, I love your little blushes. It makes me want to hoist you on this table just to see what you'll do next." He teases, hoping she'll do it again.

His efforts don't go unrewarded. Not only does Truly's face turn bright red, but her neck and chest does as well.

Proud of himself, a smug look crosses Kade's face as he picks up his fork and knife. "Eat up, so I can take you back to me bunk." He gives her a playful wink, just to mess with her.

"By me stars, I'm not goin' to survive ye," she mutters to herself, before taking a bite of her toast.

A grin crosses Kade's lips as he finishes his bite. "I haven't even started."