My hands were so sweaty that I had to clean them on my coat... How annoying! That precious purple fabric was too wonderful to be dirty with sweat. If I couldn't see my family before dying, I deserved an undamaged coat, at least. Maartje rubbed her eyes, seemingly stopping herself from sobbing. I shook my head in denial... How did Mrs. Campbell choose the worst possible moment to kill my cousin and me? There wasn't a good day to kill us, but Laurens and Maartje's anniversary couldn't be the best option. My poor friends would die on their favorite date... Unbelievable! Even though I tried to forget it, I couldn't stop hearing that maniac talking about Luna and Tess. I'd never forgive myself if she took away my daughters... Guess what? I was the worst mother ever! Losing everyone I cared about was my definition of happiness... At least it couldn't get any worse. I stopped wondering as two guards dragged Nuria to my cell. Her eyes were red, so she'd probably cried.

Nuria crossed her arms, "Eso es una locura. Those idiots interrupted my walk!"

"Why didn't they let us have one last glass of rum?" I huffed while gazing at the water leak. "A drip isn't the most beautiful thing to see before dying."

Maartje took a deep breath, "Since we're getting killed, I must make a confession."

Seriously? More secrets?

I tilted my head to the side while Nuria raised a brow. What could my cousin be hiding? Was it something crazy? She was family, so it definitely wasn't anything good. Miguel's sister walked closer to Maartje, seemingly curious.

I chuckled, "I'm not a priest, but I'm listening."

My cousin rubbed her neck, "Laurens and I didn't exclude everyone from our celebration because we wanted to try something different."

"Why are you doing this?" Gálvez's sister ground her teeth. "You'll ruin our scheme!"

"I have to say it!" Maartje pointed at me. "We can't die without telling Eva the truth."

Nuria rolled her eyes, "First, you don't know if we'll get killed. Second, we were doing something good, so there's no reason for a heavy conscience."

What did these two do?

Although it probably wasn't anything horrible, my head hurt while I wondered what Gálvez's sister was talking about. Maartje glanced at the iron bars, then back at me.

"It's fun to watch you talking nonsense, but could someone explain what's going on?" I crossed my arms. "I'll pay a drink for whoever talks first."

Maartje took a deep breath, "Nuria and I conspired to get you alone with Miguel."

"You should've listened to me!" Nuria narrowed her eyes at my cousin. "Thanks to your horrible idea of leaving the girls with them, it wasn't romantic enough!"

My cousin huffed, "She would've noticed something was wrong if I'd offered to watch them!"

I laughed, not believing Maartje and Nuria were still obsessed with my love life... Why couldn't they stop being nosy? I rubbed my face, unable to understand their attitude.

"Your plan worked perfectly well!" I grinned sarcastically. "That's why we ended up in prison!"

Nuria put her hands up in surrender, "In our defense, we had no idea the SHA would show up."

"Neither did Giacomo and Laurens. However, they knew about our idea. The four of us were involved," Maartje chuckled softly. "We'd create excuses if you or Miguel came to us for company."

Gálvez's sister stared at her boots, "Joaquim didn't participate because we were sure neither you nor my brother would go after him."

"Your strategy was fantastic," I nodded. "Except that it didn't work because, as I said a thousand times, Miguel is just my friend!"

Maartje walked closer, "We thought you had too much chemistry to be only friends."

"Besides, you and my brother have a child together," Nuria raised her brows. "You crossed the friendship line a long time ago."

I laughed, "You two are impossible!"

Miguel and I stared at each other briefly, but they don't need to know. It was probably nothing.

My hands started shaking as I heard steps. Mrs. Campbell approached with two other guards. She weirdly smiled at Maartje, causing me a headache. Nuria frowned, seemingly as surprised as me.

"Incompetents!" Mrs. Campbell slapped both guards. "I told you not to leave Maartje with the pirates who'll die!"

Why is she saying that? Does my cousin know this woman?

Maartje gawked, apparently startled... Guess what? My cousin was somehow privileged! I was more confused than a drunken seagull... Yes, I know seagulls don't drink, but you know what I mean. My heart pounded once the lady entered the cell and tied my cousin's hands with a rope. Maartje bared her teeth as if she wished to punch Mrs. Campbell in the face.

My cousin breathed faster, "Why are you doing this, lady? I don't know you!"

"You'll be mine forever now," the woman caressed Maartje's face. "So will be your man and your son."

"Now you think you own people? How great!" I approached the woman and shot her a defiant glare. "Where are you taking Maartje and her family?"

"To where they always belonged," Mrs. Campbell's lips curled into a mysterious grin. "The other guy is joining you shortly. I'll kill you three together, so cheer up!"

I gaped as an SHA man threw Gálvez in our cell. Miguel's left eye was swollen and his shirt partially torn. Some blood dripped from his mouth... Bastards! I couldn't believe they'd done that to him! Although he'd been hurt, I sighed in relief to see him alive. Nuria's eyes bulged and she seemed horrified as well. The new guard locked the door and replaced the man who watched the hallway. Nuria and I hugged Miguel so tightly that I wondered how he didn't choke.

"They took Laurens," Gálvez wiped some blood off his face. "I tried to stop them..."

"Don't worry. We couldn't save Maartje from the crazy lady either," I gazed at the ground. "There's no way to defeat these idiots unarmed."

Gálvez frowned, "Who's the woman you mentioned?"

I took a deep breath and told the Gálvez siblings what Mrs. Campbell had told me. Miguel widened his eyes and Nuria gawked. They seemed as shocked as me by that woman's craziness.

"What an insane lady! I wish Giacomo and Joaquim could help us," Nuria pressed her lips together. "Did they have to negotiate across the island on the worst possible day?"

"We must do something," Miguel paced. "I'm not dying in a prison cell and letting una loca take the children away."

With both hands on my face, I tried to think... I was about to die while a maniac took Maartje and Laurens to somewhere unknown. Nuria kept staring at the British guard. She breathed fast while walking closer to the iron bars.

"I have an idea," Gálvez's sister fixed her hair. "Close your eyes, brother."

Despite Nuria's request, Miguel kept looking at her. The Spanish woman didn't look annoyed. She pulled her white shirt down, leaving her chest much more exposed, and tightened her vest, making her breasts seem larger.

Nuria slid her hand down the guard's back, "If I could only have un poco of this handsomeness..."

The man turned to her and scowled. Nuria tilted her head slightly downward and fluttered her brows. The guard's stern expression was quickly replaced by gawking. Miguel's eyes bulged. I controlled myself not to laugh.

"I might die soon, guapo..." Nuria slowly licked her lips. "Don't you want to have some fun while I'm still alive?"

The guard cleared his throat, "It... It wouldn't be right to do this with a prisoner. Besides, we have an audience."

"Let them watch... or perhaps they can join us," the woman smiled coyly and winked. "Whatever you prefer, hermoso."

The man gulped and sighed while examining Nuria's body. Miguel narrowed his eyes at the guard. Swallowing hard, I prayed he wouldn't ruin his sister's plan. I chuckled as the British man looked in every direction, seemingly afraid his colleagues would show up.

The British guy opened the cell door, "I can't say no to you..."

Damn, she's good!

Nuria aggressively kissed the man twice in the neck, making him close his eyes. I laughed when she stole his broadsword. How could the guy be so stupid? He seemed hallucinated! Nothing like Gálvez magic... Anyway, Nuria punched the guy in the face and kicked him in the gut. The man crashed against the floor unconscious.

Miguel nodded and chuckled, "Impressive! How did you learn that?"

Nuria looked away and sighed. I cocked my head to the side, trying to imagine what had bothered her so much. She glanced at the ceiling, apparently holding tears.

"Three years ago, I argued with our mother, ran away, and was a prostitute at Joaquim's brothel for six months. I couldn't hide this anymore," she stared at the floor. "Mom and I made amends when I introduced her to Giacomo last year. We visit her sometimes."

So that's her secret...

Gálvez swallowed hard. I couldn't blame him. You don't find out your little sister satisfied men for money every day... I pressed my lips together and hoped that wouldn't turn into an argument.

Nuria took a step back, "Are you angry?"

"Of course not. Everyone makes mistakes," Miguel knit his brows. "I'm just worried because men usually treat prostitutes horribly."

"Not all of them. When Joaquim and I argued because he went broke, Giacomo comforted me despite knowing what I was," Gálvez's sister smiled. "He offered me a place in his ship, taught me to fight, and we fell in love."

I cocked my head to the side, "Does Giacomo know you worked for Joaquim?"

She shook her head in denial, "I only told Giacomo I argued with my old boss. He didn't see the quarrel."

My eyes bulged as men approached. We had to leave that place quickly. Even though I wanted to talk more, we could die soon. Besides, the rest of our family was still in danger.

I cleared my throat, "We should go before they reach us."

Miguel and Nuria nodded, so we left the cell. We put our seized weapons back on our belts. Chuckling, I grabbed my daughters' wooden swords. I panted as we turned left and almost got caught by two other guards. Fewer fire torches showed up as the three of us walked further, making me tremble... Don't judge me! The dark was scary.

I approached Nuria, "Why did Joaquim say you ruined his business?"

"I robbed all the customers, so the men stopped going, and Joaquim closed the brothel," Miguel's sister laughed softly. "He didn't love my criminal skills."

I shrugged, "You won't have problems with me. Crime is my passion."

Nuria and I laughed, but our joy didn't last long. Three SHA men spotted us and the fighting began. While Miguel and Nuria faced their opponents, I battled mine. The RNN guy attacked me and I took a step back... Guess what? He was faster than I'd thought! The man attempted to bruise my shoulder twice, but I blocked him. I winced as his blade sliced the skin on my left arm. I attacked again and plunged my blade into his thigh, making him scream. He went for my neck, so I dodged and stabbed him in the gut.

I wish Francis were here to bite these morons. If Mrs. Campbell and Atkins hurt him, I'll be devastated.

I panted as a new enemy approached. This time, he wore a Royal Navy outfit... British men loved me, didn't they? I dodged after he attacked me twice with his broadsword and kicked him between the legs. Taking advantage of my enemy's vulnerability, I punched him in the gut, making him collide with the ground. Nuria and Miguel knocked down their opponents. After finding Willem, Francis, and my girls, I sighed in relief.

Luna approached the iron bars, "Mommy! Daddy! Did you defeat the bad guys?"

"They always lose, sweetie!" I grabbed the keys from the unconscious guard's coat. "I also brought your toys back."

My daughters, Willem, and Francis ran once I opened the cell door. Tess and Luna grabbed their wooden swords quickly. My dog wagged his tail while looking at Miguel. He caressed Francis' head and we left the hallway.

Willem knit his brows, "Where are my parents?"

I brought the kids closer as more guards approached. Francis whined and I made him a gesture to stop. My heart pounded while the two men got closer.

The Armada man frowned, "We must find the boy. That lady made it clear he had to be taken with his parents!"

Why would Mrs. Campbell want Maartje, Laurens, and Willem? This doesn't make sense!

Our enemies didn't seem they wanted to leave anytime soon. We had to walk through that hallway to escape, so I needed to develop a strategy. I hated pressure... Don't judge me! An experienced captain didn't have to love challenging situations. Only crazy people enjoy danger... Fine! I admit I liked it a little.

"I have work to do," I turned to the Gálvez siblings. "The kids can't see anything."

Nuria and Miguel agreed. I ran towards the men. They grabbed their cutlasses, seemingly ready to attack, but I shot both in the legs with my pistol. Yes, I wasn't in a mood for sword fighting... and much less to face two guys at the same time. The Gálvez siblings covered the kids' eyes as we passed by. Francis whined.

I chuckled while glancing at my dog, "I'll let you bite some enemies next time."

Francis barked, apparently excited. Sweat ran down my entire body as we escaped prison. I flinched as each step made my legs hurt... Perhaps I was getting old! We discreetly followed some SHA men to the port. Although I was relieved my children were safe, I gaped while looking through my spyglass. Wright, Mrs. Campbell, and Atkins boarded a man-of-war. Maartje and Laurens were in chains at the main deck.

Am I too drunk, or Wright lied to me?

I swallowed my tears as the vessel sailed. It was too late... Guess what? The stupid SHA had won again! Besides making my life a living hell, they'd captured two people I cared deeply about. At least a seagull hadn't pooped on my head... What? I had to see the bright side!

Miguel grabbed my spyglass, "Where are those malditos going?"

I bit my lower lip, "They surely aren't taking our friends for a nice meal with free drinks."

My chest hurt as the man-of-war got farther away. I rubbed my face, unable to believe I'd let that happen... Damn it! If I'd been faster, maybe my enemies wouldn't have captured Laurens and Maartje. Pacing, I tried to imagine what those maniacs would do to them. I wanted to punch Wright in the face for not meeting me at the tavern. Besides, only God knew what Mrs. Campbell had planned. I took a deep breath to stop myself from freaking out. 

****

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. Where is the SHA taking Maartje and Laurens? Will Eva rescue them? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend ellaley27

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Eso es una locura means "this is crazy" in Spanish

2. Una loca means "a crazy woman" in Spanish

3. Un poco means "a little" in Spanish

4. Guapo means "good-looking" in Spanish

5. Hermoso means "handsome" in Spanish

6. Malditos means "bastards" in Spanish (not a literal translation)