The evening had just begun. I wouldn't stop panting. Those SHA grandmas were much faster than they used to be... Had they eaten something different? Perhaps they'd had a secret drink to enhance their strength! Although my friends and I were on the street, the idiots kept chasing us... No, I didn't throw fruits on the ground this time. I looked in every direction and my mom was nowhere to be seen. The tears came back as I remembered her pain. We hadn't known each other for long but seeing her suffer broke my heart. Mom deserved a second chance. I took several deep breaths to avoid remembering she'd run away. Once everyone reached the port, I hoped the men behind us wouldn't ruin our ships. Many enemies tried to do that before we had a chance to sail... What a bunch of morons! Besides wanting to plunder happily ever after, I wanted to see my daughters. I couldn't have them back as long as that evil organization existed.

Maartje huffed, "Why won't they stop coming?"

"Because they live to kill us," I sighed while grabbing my cutlass. "The poor souls don't know being a pirate is much better."

Laurens frowned, "Speaking of poor souls, where's Andrew? Did he turn on us?"

"I don't think so," Miguel pointed behind the approaching SHA men. "Perhaps there's hope for him yet."

My eyes widened as Andrew shot the guys chasing us. Our enemies fell so quickly that their noses probably broke. Had I underestimated the admiral? Probably! I scowled once I observed his clothes... Something was wrong. Knight no longer wore his black and gold Royal Navy cocked hat. His dark blue coat was gone too. Andrew panted while approaching us. Francis didn't growl, so maybe Miguel was right.

"I'm sorry for leading you to a trap. Atkins still had the letter," Andrew put the broadsword back in his weapon belt. "I left the Royal Navy."

Joaquim crossed his arms, "Why should I care?"

Knight glanced at Faria for an instant. The Portuguese man sighed and looked away, seemingly upset. Those two were hopeless... Why didn't they just make amends? Damn it!

"More men are coming," Knight raised his brows. "You must go to your vessels before the SHA destroys them. Atkins is determined to keep the organization alive."

"Are you kidding me?" I huffed. "I thought the SHA was my mom's idea and that Atkins only helped her!"

"That's right, but he got too involved. He wanted to continue it even after I withdrew my support," the former admiral looked back. "Although Reyes and Van Osten don't like the idea much, both fear Atkins, so they're showing up for battle."

Ricci gulped, "Did Atkins ever hurt my mom?"

"He threatened her a few times. Never got physical," Andrew cleared his throat while gazing in every direction. "We should go."

Giacomo kindly pulled Nuria by the hand, "Come on, amore mio."

My cousin gazed at Andrew, "What about you? We could use all the help we can get."

"I'll go to Joaquim's vessel," Knight turned to Pilantra. "If he allows me."

Faria shook his head in denial, "No way!"

Ricci and Nuria left. My friends and I looked at each other, unsure what to do. My dog whined as if he shared my concern... I couldn't believe we'd get smashed by the SHA because of a couple's fight! Sorry, former couple. My only consolation was my entire crew had probably arrived at Ocean Storm already. We'd agreed to sail away that evening, so at least I wouldn't have to look for everyone.

"The three of you must go with Francis. Prepare our weapons," I gazed at my best friends. "I'll catch up."

"This belongs to you," Maartje removed the jewel from inside her vest. "We appreciate your assistance."

Andrew smiled and kept the jewel in his pants. Miguel, Maartje, Laurens, and Francis left. Andrew took a step forward, but Joaquim pouted like an angry child... What was that? Even Luna was more mature than him! I bit my lower lip, hoping Atkins' men were slow. If those two didn't get to an agreement soon, everybody could die.

"Joe, I'm sorry for letting you down," Andrew chewed on his lip. "Please give me a second chance."

Joaquim turned to me, "Captain Storm, make esse traitor stop!"

I shrugged, "I won't shut the mouth of someone I agree with."

"This SHA mess made me realize I belong with you, not with them," Knight smiled sweetly. "I recovered the letter. If you read it, you'll see how much I lo..."

Faria scowled, "Don't!"

When Joaquim took a step back, I held him by the arm. I pulled him closer to prevent Andrew from overhearing. Besides being determined to defeat the SHA, I didn't want them to remain on bad terms.

"I regret waiting so long to be with Miguel," I walked closer to Joaquim. "Don't make the same mistake."

"If Andrew joins me, my crew will find out who I am," Faria stared at the ground while sighing. "I still love the idiot."

Knight chuckled softly, "Calling me that was slightly unnecessary, but I'm glad you feel the same."

I underestimated Andrew's hearing capacity...

Gazing at the sky, Pilantra took a deep breath. The sky kept getting darker. I gulped once Faria narrowed his eyes at Knight. When I thought Joaquim would punch Andrew in the face, he took his hand.

"A wise pirate once said there's no fun in not being yourself," Joaquim glanced at me and turned to Andrew. "To hell with what others think, Drew. Let's be together."

The former admiral's lips curled into a face-wide smile. I grinned as Joaquim and Andrew left holding hands. Once they boarded their ship, I returned to mine. Francis licked me once I reached the main deck.

My cousin looked at the orange sky, "I'm glad the SHA forgot about us."

At that instant, countless enemies arrived... Guess what? The former admiral was right about the morons! I swallowed hard since they had more guns than my weapon storage... No, I'm not exaggerating. Atkins, Reyes, and Van Osten led them. Giacomo and Joaquim's galleons were leaving. I couldn't sail behind them.

I turned to Maartje, "Undock us!"

After Ocean Storm left, a massive number of hostile ships sailed. My people were armed at all decks already... Weren't they amazing? The best pirate crew I could've ever asked for! My sweating increased as the vessels approached us.

"Laurens, go to the gun deck!" I pointed downstairs. "Our gunners need your lead."

"Aye, Captain!" my master gunner smiled. "We'll turn the SHA to dust!"

Once Laurens left, Ocean Storm rolled. I flinched as another cannonball struck my ship's hull. Although my crew shot the SHA, they kept fighting back. I frowned while looking through my spyglass... Atkins seemed creepily happy. First my father, now that crazy admiral... Mom had horrible taste in men! At least I'd corrected my mistake.

I smiled while taking Miguel's hand, "Ready to send some idiots to hell?"

He chuckled, "Always!"

My ship heaved, making me trip. Gálvez held me, stopping my face from crashing against the floor. We took down as many enemies as possible. Pulling that trigger countless times, I wiped the sweat off my forehead. I switched to a swivel cannon, hoping it'd hit more of Atkins' crewmembers. I ground my teeth as Giacomo's ship was hit by multiple cannonballs... The last thing I needed was to lose my young brother. Miguel gulped while gazing at the damaged vessel, probably worried about Nuria.

These guys can't win. I must see my daughters again.

Miguel and I kept shooting as some of my crewmembers were hit. Kenneth showed up to mind their wounds... I couldn't afford to lose more people. Maartje used two swivel cannons at once, seemingly determined to defeat my mom's former allies. I wouldn't stop looking through my spyglass, hoping my mother wasn't in a hostile ship. My heart pounded as a sail got torn by a cannonball.

"Maartje, replace the fore-coursesail!" I continued using my blunderbuss. "Also, make us go faster!"

My cousin approached the shrouds, "Yes, Captain!"

I ran to the gun deck. Laurens paced as the gunners struggled to load the cannons. At least a traitor hadn't sabotaged our gunpowder supply... Yes, I still remembered Sven's betrayal sometimes. May he rest in misery... Sorry! I meant peace! Grimacing because of the cannons' noise, I walked closer to my master gunner.

"Ask our gunners to use more gunpowder on port," I sighed while remembering my brother's damaged ship. "Giacomo is handling the man-of-war on starboard."

"Of course," Laurens raised a brow. "What about Joaquim? Did he let Andrew help?"

I glanced at the cannons, "They sank a frigate on port. Now we must destroy the man-of-war."

Even though frigates weren't huge, they were dangerous warships. Frigates had three masts and sailed extremely fast... Not my favorite type of enemy! Anyway, Laurens nodded and went to our gunners. I returned to the main deck. Still using the swivel cannons, I squinted. The sky got darker by the minute... Battles at night were the worst! Francis ran desperately, apparently startled by the noises... Although he'd been my dog for years, the poor thing kept fearing the blasts. I couldn't blame him for feeling that way... At that instant, a cannonball struck Ocean Storm, making me grimace.

I turned to Gálvez, "You owe me a thousand empanadas after this crazy battle."

"Not a problem," he shot more enemies. "We'll eliminate these guys soon."

"I have no doubt," I grinned mischievously. "After all, I have the strongest and hottest man ever by my side."

Miguel kissed my cheek, "I love it when you make me feel powerful, mi corazón."

"This was nothing," I winked. "I'll do something much better later..."

He chuckled and I kissed him quickly on the lips. Flinching, I walked to the quarterdeck... Yeah, Francis wasn't the only one who didn't like the blasts. Our fore-topsail got destroyed again, but Maartje climbed the shrouds to change it before I asked her... Didn't I have the best boatswain in the world? Anyway, the trouble didn't end. My galleon heaved violently. I winced once my backbones crashed against the mizzenmast.

I gazed at my navigator, "Ashton, steer starboard!"

Once he followed my command, I looked through my spyglass. I couldn't help but smile. My wonderful gunners had sunk two men-of-war on port... Perhaps we could win after all! I cheered as they destroyed two other frigates on starboard. Despite some injuries, I hadn't lost any crewmember yet... However, the joy didn't last long. Although the SHA didn't have many vessels left... Guess what was still standing? My least favorite admiral's ship! I swallowed hard as he slowly approached us.

I returned to the main deck, "I need ten more people on port! Now!"

Although my crewmembers eliminated some enemies, it was too late. Atkins' people pulled Ocean Storm closer with their grappling hooks. Countless SHA men invaded our main deck. Not only guys from the Royal Navy but also from the Armada and RNN. I took several deep breaths while grabbing my cutlass. Francis growled at the approaching enemy.

"Let's have some fun, Francis!" I smiled at my dog. "Time to use your beautiful teeth!"

He barked, apparently agreeing. The RNN man attacked me, but I dodged. I blocked two other blows with my broadsword. Our swords clashed constantly. I wasn't sure if that noise or the cannon blasts caused my ears to hurt. I flinched as the guy's blade ripped some of my shoulder's skin. Baring my teeth, I struck his waist with my broadsword and plunged it inside his right thigh. My opponent screamed loudly.

I glanced at Francis, "Teach him a lesson, pal!"

My dog bit the man's legs, making him yell more. I blocked another blow, punched him in the gut, and sliced his neck from behind. Bleeding insanely, my enemy fell. Maartje, Miguel, and my other crewmembers kept fighting fiercely. Reyes' galleon was hit by our cannonballs and sank, so Laurens and the gunners were doing a fantastic job. I took a deep breath as an Armada guy approached. Our blades slashed three times, making me get stuck between him and the mainmast.

I'm not losing this battle after so much hard work!

Pushing the man away with all my strength, I grunted. Even though I pressed my sword against his, my blade didn't shatter. After dodging two blows, I attempted to stab him in the stomach. I grimaced as his blade almost ripped the top of my hat. I injured his left arm and plunged my cutlass into his chest. My enemy fell unconscious. My cannons, along with Joaquim's, destroyed Van Osten's man-of-war. Despite all the difficulties, I smiled. Being myself was the best thing ever. I was glad Faria decided to do the same.

"We're winning this, mates!" my eyes gleamed. "These morons will stop bothering us soon."

"I wouldn't be so sure!" a familiar British guy said from behind.

I gulped. Atkins violently pushed me against the ground. I winced, feeling as if all my bones had been broken. When the admiral was about to kick me in the gut, I dragged myself away and got up. He stared me down while grabbing his sword.

I chuckled sarcastically, "Aren't you tired of getting beaten by pirates?"

"Neither you nor your ridiculous mother will stop me!" the admiral panted. "I won't lose the enormous power the SHA gave me!"

"Don't you dare call her that!" I dilated my nostrils. "Your reign is over. The Englishman no longer leads your stupid organization."

"Who needs that bastard?" he laughed loudly. "The men might listen to him more, but I'll make them follow my lead!"

"Good luck," I smiled defiantly. "Idiots like you always end up dead."

"I'll destroy you, Dutch lady!" Atkins bared his teeth. "Just like I'll do with this filthy animal!"

Before I could move, the admiral shot Francis three times, making me gawk. My poor dog bled insanely while whining. Filled with rage, I struck my sword against my enemy's waist, causing the bastard to scream. I punched him on the face so many times that I wondered how I didn't destroy his jaw.

This bastard will suffer so much that he'll beg me to kill him!

The tears wouldn't stop running down my face as I gazed at my deceased dog. Francis had been my protector and best friend for years, but he was gone... all because of the stupid SHA. My chest hurt so much I thought it'd explode. I took several deep breaths to avoid freaking out. I could barely concentrate on the fight as my mom's crazy former partner attacked me.

The idiot laughed cruelly, "Are you upset because I shot your precious dog? You'll be delighted to see what I'll do to your kids then!"

I narrowed my eyes, "I hope you rot in hell!"

Our swords clashed intensively. I breathed so quickly that I almost ran out of air... Don't judge me! He was too fast... My headache returned once I remembered Francis. My dog didn't deserve that horrible fate. I also couldn't help but think of my mom. If Atkins had harmed her, his death would be twice as painful. Besides driving me crazy for months, that admiral could've hurt my mother... Hendrika would've loved to meet him. Although I was focused on the duel, I couldn't stop thinking of my mother. At least I'd only picked an aggressive man once... The poor lady had done it twice! I sighed, hoping I could avenge her and Francis.

****

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. All translations can be found below. Will Eva avenge Francis? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Esse means "this" in Portuguese