Although Joaquim and Giacomo helped me immensely, the battles wouldn't stop. The SHA only got stronger with time... God, they were the worst! How could they be so stubborn? At least nobody had died after the alliance. Luckily, Nuria and Joaquim never mentioned the secrets again, so one less problem to worry about. However, sailing hadn't been enjoyable... The evening had arrived and the sky was orange. Six SHA ships decided it was a good moment to attack us. There were two galleons and four men-of-war... I was having so much fun! Who am I kidding? I breathed heavily while running on the main deck. My crew fought fiercely with their cutlasses, blunderbusses, and cannons against the bastards. As always, the kids were safe on the lowest deck with a female crewmember. My vessel rolled when more cannonballs struck us. I ground my teeth as men invaded our main deck while yelling like maniacs. They seemed drunker than my crew... What? Navy sailors drank more than pirates! My dad was proof.

"I can't believe it's been four months since that crazy day with Faria, Dirk, and everyone else," I smiled mischievously and turned to my cousin. "Despite the endless battles, at least we have your anniversary to celebrate. Are you enjoying the day?"

"Absolutely!" Maartje laughed sarcastically. "This is a dream come true!"

"Congratulations to us!" Laurens gently kissed my cousin's cheek. "Time indeed goes by quickly."

My cousin raised her brows, "We can't celebrate it on a sunken ship, so let's fight these idiots."

"Besides, it's time for you to do what you love, which is changing the fore-topsail!" I grinned. "Isn't that fun, Maartje?"

She huffed, "I couldn't be more excited!"

I turned to my quartermaster, "By the way, how's Miguel doing? I haven't been to the gun deck recently."

Laurens chuckled, "He's fine, just like on the five other times you asked."

"That's not true!" I glanced away. "It was only four..."

He raised his brows, "You know what I mean."

"Come on!" I crossed my arms. "Can't a captain worry about her crewmembers?"

I hope the kids are alright as well...

Laurens rolled his eyes as if I was a stubborn child. Francis barked, seemingly agreeing... Awesome! Even my dog was against me! I sighed, trying to give more attention to the conflict. At that instant, an RNN man came running... It was time for some action! I grabbed my broadsword and my dog growled. Our blades clashed as I took several deep breaths. The man dodged two of my blows, but my blade sliced his left shoulder on the third attempt, making him flinch. He attacked me again twice. I blocked him and made a massive cut on his neck. The guy quickly crashed against the floor while bleeding.

I wiped the blood off my sword, "This is what you get for murdering my uncle and bothering my family!"

I sighed in relief as two men-of-war sank. Their wood was quickly consumed by the flames... I loved my gunners! How could they be so awesome? Anyway, I smiled as two more enemy ships were hit by several cannonballs. However, I couldn't take credit for that since Giacomo and Joaquim were the ones who sent them to hell... We can't win everything, right? I winced as Ocean Storm rolled again. Hugging the foremast, I hoped I wouldn't fall.

I walked to the quarterdeck, "Ashton, steer starboard!"

My navigator nodded, "Aye, Captain!"

I breathed faster as a man-of-war slowly fell towards my main deck. When I thought we'd be smashed, Ashton took us to safety... That was close! At that instant, a Royal Navy man attacked me with his sword, but I blocked all his blows and kicked him between the legs. The man grimaced and yet kept attempting to hurt me. I dodged every time and sliced a massive cut on his waist, spilling blood. My hands were flooded with sweat as I blocked two blows and plunged my blade into his stomach, making him collide against the ground.

My opponent gasped, "You women are vicious! I... I can't believe I've been defeated by two!"

"We're not vicious. You just don't like it when we beat you," I scowled. "Who's the second lady?"

The man got paler, "That... That she-devil working with Atkins and The Englishman! She's worse than you!"

There's a woman involved?

I knit my brows. A lady was helping the SHA? I gulped, wondering if I hadn't been betrayed again... What if Maartje or Nuria had stabbed me in the back? No, that didn't happen! I couldn't let my paranoia get the best of me. However, I wouldn't completely let go of my concern. I'd known Maartje for years, but Nuria... Just because her brother was the sweetest man ever, it didn't mean she was a good woman. After all, Joaquim said she had a rotten past and only God knew what he meant.

The guy could barely breathe, "The world is lost if ladies like you and her keep destroying everything..."

I approached my enemy, "Who is she?"

The man gasped before paralyzing completely. I squeezed my eyes shut as I realized he'd never be able to answer me. Breathing faster, I couldn't help but remember Dirk's brutal death. Four months had gone by, but the way he died never left my memory. I still couldn't cry for him. My attention shifted back to the conflict as I heard six major blasts. I gawked while looking through my spyglass.

"Skillful bastard!" I grinned widely. "Driving people crazy isn't Joaquim's only talent!"

Maartje ran to me, "Ashton said we're approaching Bridgetown, Captain Storm."

"That means we're celebrating your anniversary soon," I sighed and smiled. "Luna and Tess love it when I let them eat more on special dates."

"Laurens and I will go out alone with Willem," my cousin pressed her lips together. "Would that upset you?"

"No, I'm just confused because we always celebrate it together," I tilted my head to the side. "Why are you excluding Miguel, the girls, and me this year?"

Maartje glanced away, "We wanted to do something different."

"It's alright," I sighed. "I'm used to being alone."

"There's no reason to be," Maartje's eyes widened. "You could spend the day with Miguel and your daughters."

Francis whined, seemingly feeling my concern. I raised a brow, wondering if my cousin wasn't hiding something... What if Laurens and Maartje wanted to talk to the SHA? Don't look at me like that! Anything was possible.

This is so strange...

After docking our ship with her assistants, Maartje left with Willem and Laurens. Although Miguel invited me to come with him and the girls to the beach, I didn't go. I walked to a tavern to have some ale instead. I let out a pronounced sigh while remembering my enemy's last words... Who was the evil woman? I squeezed my eyes shut as I thought about it.

I shook my head in denial, "Who am I trying to fool? I don't want to be here!"

I handed the server some coins and left. Francis followed me. My head still hurt and yet I smiled once I arrived at the beach. My daughters held their small wooden swords and wouldn't stop laughing while Miguel talked to them in Spanish. There was a red sea star on his head... Don't ask me why, but it was adorable! My eyes bulged as I approached the coconut trees. Even though my body went forward, my left foot stayed behind... I winced as my bones collided with the floor. Gálvez and the girls walked closer once they heard the noise. So much for stealth... Stupid tree branch!

"I guess I'm eating sand today," I spat the sand grains and forced a smile. "So crunchy!"

Gálvez helped me get up, "That wouldn't be a tasty meal."

We laughed. Luna grabbed my cocked hat from the ground and ran. Francis went after her while wagging his tail. Tess clapped while observing my hat. My dog and the girls wouldn't stop running while playing with my hat and the sand.

Miguel approached my daughters, "Don't go too far, little captains."

Tess grinned, "Yes, daddy!"

I shook my head in denial, "Sweetie, he's not..."

My youngest daughter froze. Gálvez raised a brow. I pressed my lips together... Bosch never loved Tess, so why did I almost tell her the ugly truth? Dirk was Tess' father, but Miguel was her dad. Swallowing hard, I couldn't believe I'd nearly broken her heart for nothing.

Gálvez kissed Tess' forehead, "Go to your sister, cariño. She's waiting."

Tess nodded and left. Miguel sat on my right as I cleared my throat, hoping he wouldn't ask questions... I had to change the subject before things got weird.

I cocked my head to the side, "How come you're so good with kids?"

Miguel smiled nervously, "If I tell you why, do you promise not to laugh?"

"Now I have to laugh!" I chuckled softly. "I'm joking. I promise I won't."

"I took care of children in Spain for three years," Gálvez chewed on his lip while glancing away. "Professionally."

I wondered why he thought I'd laugh. Although I didn't expect Miguel to tell me that, I wouldn't make fun of him. There was no reason to do it. Gálvez squinted, seemingly confused.

"I was the joke of my neighborhood," Miguel rubbed his neck. "Most people think I'm weird after finding out."

"I'm not like most people," I caressed his shoulder. "What you did is awesome. If anyone doesn't approve it, they have a problem, not you."

"You really are amazing," he let out a pronounced sigh. "My friends in Toledo never acted the same once I told them. The boys called me names and the girls ignored me."

"What a bunch of idiots! The same happened to me because of my different personality," I looked at the sea as I recalled my childhood. "The girls in Willemstad wrinkled their noses while the boys laughed."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I hate it when people mistreat and judge others for not following un maldito pattern..." Gálvez shook his head in denial. "Many families didn't hire me because I'm a man."

"It's their loss. At least we have each other," I grinned widely. "Some supernatural force made two weird kids meet."

"That's a great point," he got a little closer. "Even though you're not weird to me."

I approached him slightly, "You aren't to me either."

We locked eyes as if nothing else existed. I breathed quickly, feeling a strange warmth in my chest. I shook my head in denial to stop myself from getting lost... What the hell was that? Perhaps close friends had a strong connection... Right? I blinked fast, hoping I wouldn't get distracted again.

I cleared my throat, "How did you end up in the piracy world?"

"Stealing and watching children were the only things I did well. I was done being the joke, so I chose to steal," Miguel fixed his hair. "Privateering wasn't good. My life improved mucho once my father and I became pirates."

"What about the other job?" I fixed my gaze on his eyes. "How did you start taking care of kids?"

"Mom's seamstress job and dad's privateering work weren't enough to support us," Gálvez looked at the sun. "My mother liked how I watched Nuria, so she sent me to take care of other kids when I was twelve."

I nodded, "I can't blame her for it. You're indeed great with children."

"Gracias. Perhaps I'm skillful at watching kids because I love it," Miguel's lips curled into a sweet smile. "It's one of my favorite things to do."

"I can tell," I glanced at my daughters and Francis. "You seemed happy today."

He chuckled, "Although that sea star didn't enhance my looks, I was thrilled."

"Are you kidding me?" I raised my brows. "A bird could poop on your head and you'd still look great."

At that instant, seagulls passed by and one of them hit Miguel's head with a white bomb... No, I'm not joking. Wasn't that unbelievable? He grimaced, but I couldn't stop laughing. I hoped that thing didn't stick too much to his hair.

Luna giggled, "Daddy has a new hat!"

Tess laughed softly. Francis barked twice as if he enjoyed the situation. God, I'd never thought bird poop could be so funny...

Gálvez raised a brow, "Aren't you taking back what you just said?"

"Why would I?" I grinned mischievously. "Let's add a coconut leaf to it and you'll look even better."

"Maybe we don't have to," Miguel smiled while gazing at the seagull's gift. "It matches my white shirt."

We laughed so loudly I thought my ears would explode... I hadn't had that much fun in forever! Tears flowed on my face, but sadness wasn't their cause.

"I should remove this thing before it solidifies," Gálvez quickly walked towards the ocean. "I'll be right back."

I nodded and observed Miguel for an instant. Although I wanted to stop grinning, I couldn't. I'd been smiling so much that my cheeks hurt... Unfortunately, like everything good in life, it didn't last long. I scowled once I caught a Royal Navy man staring at Luna, Tess, and Francis. He hid behind a coconut tree. I got my hat back from Luna, hoping the man would respect me once he saw who I was.

Why is there always something to ruin my mood?

Still watching my kids and Miguel, I approached the stranger. He had long light-brown hair tied by a ponytail, bright blue eyes, a thin beard, and light skin. I reached for my cutlass, wondering what his intentions were.

I narrowed my eyes, "Can I help you?"

"It'd be horrible if someone killed everyone you love, wouldn't it?" the man rubbed his chin. "I have a risky profession, so that's always on my mind."

"Wouldn't losing your head be terrible too?" I placed my cutlass on the man's neck while smiling sarcastically. "You'd never drink again. How devastating!"

He grinned, "The rumors were true, Captain Storm. You're indeed funny."

"Great! Because I'm about to get hilarious," I put my blade closer to the stranger's skin. "Stop staring at the children and let's go for a walk. We have a lot to discuss."

The guy laughed softly, "I'm not the one who's going for a walk."

I frowned, "Who do you think you..."

Before I finished speaking, I felt flat on the ground... Bastard! The man was such a coward he'd sent someone else to hit me from behind. Although I tried to get up, the stranger's helper knocked me down unconscious. As I slowly lost my senses, I hoped those guys wouldn't hurt Miguel, Francis, and the girls. 

****

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. Are Eva and Miguel getting closer to each other? Who's the man that threatened her? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Un maldito means "a damn" in Spanish

2. Mucho means "a lot" in Spanish

3. Gracias means "thank you" in Spanish