My entire body hurt once I woke up. Putting a hand on my head and the other on my coat, I gulped. My favorite hat was gone and so were my weapons... Stupid SHA! I squinted as my vision slowly returned. Creepy grey walls, cold floor, iron bars, and tiny window... I was no longer at the port. My enemies had dragged me unconscious to jail. Besides, let's not forget about my relationship that ended in disaster. I wanted to suffer because Dirk could've been killed and cry about our painful goodbye... I really did. However, the bastard had broken me so much that I couldn't. I felt nothing when Dirk's possible death came to my mind. We had an intense love that became a bizarre mix of hatred, fear, and sadness.

"I'll call you Gilbert. Let's talk," I stared at a black mouse. "Isn't love the worst lie ever invented?"

The rodent squeaked, seemingly uninterested in my personal issues. Don't judge me! He was my only friend at the moment. Supposing it was a male... Anyway, I looked at the wall for an instant.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Maartje and Laurens broke up. The love between couples is so fake!" I crossed my arms. "Hendrika must've invented it. Only her could come up with something that cruel."

Swallowing hard, I thought of my friends and children. What had happened to Laurens and Maartje? Were Miguel, Francis, and the kids alright? I'd break all those iron bars and send the SHA straight to hell if they'd injured my family.

"Besides putting my crew in danger, Dirk shattered my heart! Why did I fall for that jerk, Gilbert?" I pressed my lips together. "I should've listened to Maartje and Miguel."

The mouse stopped chewing, apparently enjoying the conversation. Although Gilbert couldn't understand me, at least he didn't smash my neck... Yes, a rodent treated me better than Bosch.

"I misjudged too many people. Sven seemed nice and turned out to be a traitor. I thought Miguel was just a seducer when he's actually a wonderful person," the memories kept hitting me like bullets. "Dirk was... I can't talk about him without feeling angry!"

If someone's listening to me, they'll think I'm crazy.

The rodent left in a rush, startled by the noise of two approaching guards. I hoped poor Gilbert wouldn't meet his partner because heartbreak was guaranteed.

I frowned, "What an impolite mouse! Gilbert could at least have shared the food!"

Bloodstains were all over the hallway. Although I didn't want to believe it, there were two heads on a corner... Guess what? My day was about to get more fun! I hadn't recovered from my uncle's assassination and the breakup yet, but life didn't care. One guard wore an RNN uniform and the other was from the Armada.

I wish Gilbert bit these guys like Francis...

They dragged me out of the cell. My arms trembled as the men pushed me to walk faster. Not even the fire torches helped decrease the coldness of that dark place. My eyes bulged as I saw two other heads. There was no way I'd let my crew and family end up like those poor guys. The SHA could do as many bad things to me as they wanted, but I'd never stop protecting those I cared about. Although I wasn't sure about my other crewmembers, I knew Miguel, Maartje, and Laurens would do the same for me.

"What about a nice meal?" I raised my brows. "I know someone who can make us empanadas!"

The RNN man squeezed my wrists, "Shut up!"

I rolled my eyes, "You really don't have a sense of humor..."

The guards pushed me harder, making me flinch. Yeah, pirates didn't get free food... Perhaps they'd give me a drink? Navy guys carried many alcoholic beverages, so maybe they wouldn't mind if I took one. A drink was all I needed since that place screamed death. I hoped I wouldn't see Dirk again if I ended up in hell... What? A guy who cheated, didn't love his daughter, and humiliated his woman would only end up there! He could still be alive, but surviving after being stabbed in the chest was unlikely. Even though cruel people didn't die easily, Bosch's chances of survival were low.

I sighed in relief once we stopped walking. The men tied me to a tiny wooden chair. I winced as they squeezed me with that rope. My hands were so sweaty that I thought a waterfall had taken form on my skin. A tall and familiar British officer approached... How did Atkins arrive in San Juan so quickly? That was insane!

"I'm Admiral Atkins from the Sea Hunters Alliance," Atkins walked around me as if I was his prey. "If you give us some answers, we'll let you walk out of here alive."

I laughed hysterically... Don't look at me like that! The man thought I was an idiot, so how could I not? The Armada man punched me in the face. I flinched once I felt his hard fist bones against my jaw. I spit some blood on the floor and shot Atkins a cold stare.

The British officer narrowed his eyes, "Did I say something funny, Captain Storm?"

"As a matter of fact, you did!" my lips curled into a sarcastic grin. "How dumb do you think I am?"

The guards looked at each other, seemingly confused. Atkins cocked his head to the side. I huffed while remembering Bosch saying men had more potential than women... If they paid attention to what women say, perhaps they'd beat us. Luckily, not all guys were as distracted as Atkins.

"I saw the heads after your friends scared Gilbert away!" I raised my voice. "Even if I do what you want, you'll end my life!"

Atkins wrinkled his nose, "Who the hell is Gilbert?"

"A mouse," I glared at the two guards. "We were having a deep and meaningful conversation that got interrupted."

Atkins nodded at the guards. The RNN man punched me in the face, making me spit blood again. What was wrong with those morons? They wouldn't even smile! At least my friends still laughed at my jokes.

"You're more annoying than I thought!" Atkins pursed his lips. "Why won't certain ladies understand they can't be funny without looking ridiculous?"

"Interesting. I wonder why some men won't find something better to do than trying to change women," I grinned sarcastically. "Besides, you know I'm hilarious."

Dirk and Atkins would've been best friends if they'd met.

The RNN officer turned away as if he wanted to hide a chuckle. Hendrika, Dirk, Sven, and Atkins could try to take my sense of humor away from me, but I wouldn't let them.

"Enough!" the British man punched the table between us. "Bring the instruments!"

I gulped as the guards left the room in a hurry. What was that crazy guy talking about? He definitely didn't have good intentions. Unless Atkins wanted to serenade me, the instruments he mentioned couldn't be musical.

Atkins glared at me, "You'll regret being so insolent!"

The men came back with a giant water bucket, some knives, and... Guess what? The damn whip! I could feel my back being flogged and hear the sound of Hendrika's voice. Taking a deep breath, I tried my best to hold the tears.

"Four years ago, you worked with Miguel Gálvez, also known as El Dorado, and Dirk Bosch," the admiral crossed his arms. "Those captains were presumed dead, but our leader has heard rumors you saved them."

How do they know?

Dirk was probably dead, so the SHA couldn't attack him, but there was a good chance they'd target Miguel. I gulped as I thought of the possibility... I couldn't lose Gálvez! They wouldn't lay a finger on him if I could help it.

"Bosch died in battle before you dragged me here," I pressed my lips together and looked away. "Gálvez sank with his ship."

Atkins signaled the RNN guy, who untied me only to tie my hands with the same rope. I grimaced as he smashed my poor wrist bones. The RNN guard grabbed my neck from behind and sank my head into the bucket. I felt as if a knife cut me inside while my throat filled with water. On the bright side, at least he didn't make me fall in love only to tear me apart later. Besides, watching Tess being despised by her father was worse than any physical aggression. Dirk could've died and we shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but what he'd done was atrocious.

I gasped as the RNN man pulled me out, "Are you deaf? I just said they're gone!"

"My men reported a wounded pirate who resembled Bosch today, so he might be dead. However, you're lying about Gálvez!" Atkins ground his teeth. "He's among the numerous captains we want. If you give me him, you'll be rewarded."

He did not just say that!

My eyes bulged once I remembered the heads. I'd never let Miguel have the same fate as those poor bastards. Not even the best reward in the world could replace him or any of my friends. Atkins nodded again. I squeezed my eyes shut as the Armada guy approached.

"You better start talking!" the Spanish guard sliced the skin on my left arm with a sharp knife. "Where's Captain Gálvez?"

"She probably doesn't know. Women are stupid anyway," Atkins rolled his eyes and turned to me. "Do you know that Portuguese captain's location? The one who robs pirates?"

I scowled, "What the hell are you talking about?"

The guards kept staring. I frowned and tilted my head to the side, wondering who the admiral was talking about. I'd never met anyone from Portugal, much less a pirate that robs other pirates. The Armada man pushed me into the damn water... Wasn't that great? I'd get tortured for telling the truth! The SHA surprised me once again.

"Lying witch! As if you have no information on Pilantra... Everyone wants his head on a spike," Atkins huffed. "Slice her neck slowly!"

Who's Pilantra? Is he a bad guy?

My sweating increased so much that I thought I'd dehydrate. I couldn't help but remember the day I almost drowned when The Revenger sank. Did my uncle meet that mysterious Portuguese guy? What if Pilantra was among the countless allies Miguel had when he was El Dorado? Those questions tortured me more than the stupid instruments.

"I'm sorry to intervene, but shouldn't we wait for our leader?" the RNN guy took a step forward. "He said he wanted to torture Storm himself. You didn't follow his orders."

What's the damn leader's name?

Atkins looked at the ground. If the admiral got punished by the SHA leader, I'd finally have some fun on that horrible day. It'd be a delight to see that bastard being scolded like a little child.

"I'd tell you to shut up, but you're right," the admiral rubbed his forehead. "He's going to kill me!"

"How devastating!" I pouted. "I'm so sad for you, darling..."

The British officer bared his teeth. My lips curled into a cruel smile as he glowered. That was one of the few times I'd grinned like that... Don't judge me! He deserved it.

"I'll prepare the other instruments until our leader arrives," Atkins shot the guards a cold glare. "If you get drunk like the last time I told you to guard a prisoner, I'll ask Reyes and Van Osten to keelhaul you!"

Both men gulped and nodded. How could men who worked for navies get drunk on duty? They were worse than my father... I pressed my lips together once Atkins left. My legs trembled as the Dutch guard approached me. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for a punch or worse. Luckily, he just grabbed two bottles of jenever for him and two of wine for the Spaniard. Did they offer me a drink? Of course not!

The Spanish guy had a long sip of wine, "I'm not being paid well enough for this."

I wish my friends were here...

Closing my eyes, I tried to think of something positive. Although the bad thoughts crowded my mind, I attempted to send them away with good ones. When Dirk's possible death and the cruel things he said came back, I remembered the sweet smiles of my daughters. Once the SHA's notes started haunting me, I thought of the times I laughed with my three best friends. Perhaps the leader would decapitate me once he arrived, but at least I'd die with happy memories. 

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Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is well. Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and follow the "Battles and Secrets" playlist on Spotify. Who's the Portuguese captain? Will Eva escape? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)