My mouth had been open for so long that I almost swallowed a fly. The admiral kept looking at me. Although I wanted to believe him, how could I? Atkins had probably planned that to make me suffer. The Englishman couldn't be a good guy. Not after everything that he made me and my family go through. Perhaps he'd lied to make me snitch on other captains such as Giacomo and Joaquim. I didn't know my two allies so well and yet I'd never give information about them. Maybe Ricci and Faria would talk about me under pressure, but I wouldn't do that to them. I gulped as Wright kept walking around my chair like a predator. For someone who wanted some assistance, he seemed really threatening. I couldn't help but breathe faster as I thought of my family. The last thing I needed was to lose more people I cared about.

"Let me get this straight," I frowned. "You, the leader of an organization that wishes to eliminate all pirates, want me to help you?"

He nodded, "I don't want this madness to continue."

What does he mean?

The Englishman looked in every direction, seemingly afraid. More sweat dripped from my forehead as he sat in front of me. What if that was a trick? I gazed at the wall, hoping it was just my paranoia talking.

"I don't understand," I chuckled nervously. "What's going on, Admiral Wright?"

He breathed faster, "The truth is I don't give a damn about the SHA. I hate it and need you to destroy it with me."

I laughed so loudly I thought I'd run out of air. Was I dreaming? The Englishman wasn't the person I needed to defeat? That was insane! Admiral Wright proved to be very naïve if he indeed wished to fool me.

"I'm serious. That madwoman put me in charge of the SHA, but I never wanted to join," Wright stared at his toes. "Only her and Atkins like this stupid organization."

I raised a brow, "After all the killing and death threats, do you really expect me to believe you?"

"I'm not lying. This thing is only called the Sea Hunters Alliance because Atkins' first name is Hunter!" The Englishman rolled his eyes. "The woman wanted to name it after him."

My neck kept sweating, "Who is she?"

"Imogen Campbell. She's madly in love with Atkins and both like assassinating pirates," he decreased his tone of voice. "Mrs. Campbell is always in a black dress because, according to her, she's constantly grieving."

Now I know why she hates me...

Unfortunately, I hadn't forgotten that name. I was three months pregnant with Luna when Dirk killed Admiral Campbell since he still loved me. That British man died on my ship, so maybe his crazy wife thought I'd murdered him... Once again, Dirk Bosch made my life worse! Yes, the redhead had helped me before showing who he really was, but he still brought me problems.

"Your story doesn't seem false, but I need proof," I grimaced as the rope stopped me from moving. "How can I know this isn't a trick?"

"The lady stole two things that will ruin my life if anyone sees them," Wright pressed his lips firmly together. "She blackmailed me into starting the SHA because I'm the youngest Royal Navy admiral ever and everyone respects me for it."

"I must see some evidence," I narrowed my eyes. "Words won't suffice."

He looked deep into my eyes, "I might not have the physical proof, but I'll offer something great in return for your assistance."

"If you're bringing prostitutes, it won't work," my eyes gleamed. "Unless they're men! I could use some..."

"I'm not providing entertainment. All I can give is my loyalty," Wright cleared his throat. "I promise the SHA won't kill anyone else close to you. Especially your Spanish husband and kids."

"He's not my..." I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Never mind. I give up."

The Englishman took off his hat, "My point is I'll only pretend to help the SHA from now on. Would you like this or not?"

What if he's lying and no blackmail happened?

My chest hurt as I recalled the horrible things the SHA had done. Uncle Ruben's assassination, the death threats, my torture, Dirk's death... Endless madness! Wright fixed his gaze on me. Although I couldn't be sure that wasn't a trap, what choice did I have? If Admiral Wright wished to give me a chance to destroy that organization, I had to take it.

I tilted my head to the side, "Only if you tell me at least one thing Mrs. Campbell has against you."

"Fair enough," the admiral decreased his tone of voice. "Thomas Wright isn't my real name. I'll tell you who I really am when the SHA guards aren't nearby."

"Great. We have a deal," I flinched as I briefly forgot about the rope. "I'd shake your hand, but your men tied me up."

"Since I must keep up appearances, I can't guarantee Mrs. Campbell and Atkins won't bother you again," he approached me. "We must meet regularly for this to work."

When I was about to respond, someone knocked on the door. The Englishman rolled his eyes before opening it. My teeth smashed my lower lip once I imagined the worse.

The guard entered, "Mrs. Campbell is here, sir. She wishes to see the prisoner alone."

Will this woman try to murder me now?

Wright nodded and quickly closed the door. He paced while rubbing his forehead, seemingly worried. I breathed faster, wondering what the hell had happened.

"You and your friends might not get out unharmed because the maniac has arrived. My God..." the admiral panted desperately. "If you survive, meet me alone in the tavern with pink flowers in front of it. It's near the beach."

"You just said you'd not kill anyone close to me!" my eyes bulged. "What's going on?"

The Englishman ground his teeth, "I won't, but I don't know about her. She'll probably spare the children."

I bared my teeth, "Probably?!"

The bastard left faster than a hurricane. I panted once a tall woman who seemed to be in her fifties entered the room. The lady glared at me so intensively that I wondered if she wasn't Dirk's mother. She had long blond hair, blue eyes, and light skin. Her dress was entirely black and had long sleeves. A shiver ran through my body as she closed the door.

The woman sat in front of me, "You're more beautiful than I'd imagined."

"Aren't you kind?" my lips curled into a forced smile. "What can I help you with, Mrs. Campbell?"

"I want pirates to pay for their sins," Mrs. Campbell pressed her lips together as if holding tears. "Especially you, Storm."

I chuckled, "If you want gold, I can give it to you."

Mrs. Campbell narrowed her eyes, clenched her fist, and struck her right hand against my jaw. I spat some blood and glared at her, showing not to be afraid... Yes, I was terrified, but she couldn't know that. She had to fear me more than I did her. Her chin trembled as if she wished to sob.

What's wrong with this woman?

"No gold can replace what I lost! All people do is take everything from me," Mrs. Campbell stared at the ground. "You shattered my heart and shall suffer for it."

I scowled, "I don't even know who you are!"

The woman approached me, "Don't lie! Besides stealing what's most precious to me, you turned someone I love into a criminal."

"I never harm innocent people," I knit my brows. "I'm sorry about Admiral Campbell, but I didn't kill him. Another pirate did."

She frowned, "I don't know that man."

I gawked. If that woman wasn't Admiral Campbell's wife or relative, who was she? Why did they have the same last name? I glanced away, wondering if the lady wasn't lying.

I flinched as the rope stopped me from moving, "Why are you after me?"

The lady wiped away a tear, "Because you destroyed me inside like everyone does."

Although I felt stupid for it, I wanted to hug Mrs. Campbell... Don't judge me! I'd never seen someone that hurt before. She seemed devastated.

I took a deep breath, "I apologize if I did anything bad to you. Can we solve this problem without bloodshed?"

"Spilling your blood is exactly what I want," the woman laughed. "I'll give your daughters to another family. The dog will be left on the street."

I swallowed my tears, "I'll never let this happen!"

"You broke me, so I'll break you!" she punched me in the face again. "Everyone you care about will die slowly. I'll make sure of it."

My eyes bulged, "Why are you so cruel? Is there something you want?"

"What I want doesn't exist. At least the SHA gave me power in this miserable life," Mrs. Campbell ground her teeth. "You're staying in jail until I decide the worst way to kill you!"

She opened the door, made a gesture, and the guards returned... Guess what? I was in trouble again! When I thought Admiral Wright would help me, that woman destroyed everything... My heart pounded as the men removed me from the chair and tied my hands with the same rope. No, I couldn't let that maniac win. If she'd ruined Wright's life, I wouldn't let her do the same to mine.

I flinched as the guards pulled my arms, "I'm a powerful captain. I can provide you a lot. Why don't we make a deal?"

"Nothing can heal my pain," Mrs. Campbell crossed her arms. "Pirates are evil and will be killed for it."

"You hate me, I get it! You're not the first to feel that way," I sighed while remembering people who'd hurt my feelings. "However, can't we talk before you do something irreversible?"

"I need you dead," the woman shot me a cold glare. "If your daughters work in a brothel when they're older, my satisfaction will be even greater."

Hendrika was wonderful compared to Mrs. Campbell...

My tears begged me to flow, but I wouldn't let that lady win. She'd neither break me nor do bad things to my family... Was she related to Sven? Perhaps she wanted to kill me to avenge him. Mrs. Campbell looked like him and his mother was English, so it wasn't impossible. However, he'd told me she was dead... What had happened?

I tried to control my breathing, "Whatever you lost, I can help you recover it. I'm useless if I die."

"Seeing you and all pirates perish is the only thing that'll make me happy," Mrs. Campbell turned to the guards. "Take her to that cell with the water leak!"

I rolled my eyes. Water leak? Seriously? Besides being murdered, I'd have to wait for my death in the worst cell... How great! I couldn't believe it when I saw the damn place. It was dirtier than the quarterdeck when a rotten fish made Luna puke. The man dragged me as if I was an animal. That was the creepiest dungeon ever.

"Thank you for your hospitality!" I smiled nervously and quickly sat on the cold floor. "Perhaps we could drink together someday!"

This scene looks familiar, doesn't it? Yes, you remembered it correctly! It's the same situation I mentioned at the beginning of this story. After the idiots put me in jail, I made the little rum joke, Maartje was furious, we were insanely worried... I'll spare you the repetitive details. I'm sure you recall the overall situation. My cousin and I sat in a prison cell while having no idea where Laurens, Miguel, Francis, and the kids were. Panting, I hoped Mrs. Campbell didn't mean the atrocities she said about my daughters.

I wiped away my tears, "This can't be the end!"

"I think it is," Maartje rubbed her face. "I'll never see Laurens or my son ever again."

"Admiral Wright lied," I stared at the wall. "If he'd spoken the truth, we wouldn't be waiting for death in this stupid dungeon!"

She scowled, "What are you talking about?"

I sighed, "We have the strangest enemies ever. Allow me to explain..."

My cousin nodded continuously as I told her about my conversation with The Englishman. I also mentioned the things Mrs. Campbell had said, which made her gape. Anyone would be disturbed by that woman... Wasn't she weird? I wondered what'd happened to make her so upset and cruel. Although I wanted to hit Mrs. Campbell for threatening my family, a small part of me felt bad for her.

Maartje's forehead furrowed, "Why is this woman obsessed with murdering pirates? What does she hold against you?"

"That's what I want to find out," I shook my head in denial. "She gave me nothing."

"I wish we could say goodbye to Laurens, Miguel, Francis, and the kids," my cousin rested her head on both knees. "Can't we at least have that?"

I slid a hand through an iron bar, "Mrs. Campbell hates us. If she could, she would've sent me to hell the moment we met."

My cousin shrugged, "Maybe she has a weakness we can exploit."

"Definitely!" I grinned sarcastically. "That lady has a weakness for bloodthirsty men! Isn't that great?"

We laughed softly... Don't judge us! My cousin and I could have fun even on the verge of death. I rubbed my eyes while remembering Mrs. Campbell's horrifying threats. Would she take my kids away, leave my dog to die, and kill everyone I cared about? I shouldn't have listened to Wright... He could never protect my family or me from that maniac. I hoped the death she'd planned would be quick.

****

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. We're back to the first chapter's scene... :-) Will Eva and Maartje get out? Is the rest of the crew still alive? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)