I slowly woke up inside... Guess where? A prison cell! My favorite place! I was so tired of being dragged to jail... Couldn't I ever plunder freely? Scowling, I observed the depressing walls. The bastards had seized my weapons. Both guards by my cell were stern. I smiled since my kids and Francis were in a nearby cell... Don't judge me! Seeing them in prison didn't make me happy. I was only glad they weren't hurt. However, Miguel wasn't there... My heart pounded as I tried to imagine what those maniacs had done to him. What if the strangers and the mysterious evil lady had murdered him? I wanted to sob just with the thought of it! I gulped while thinking of Maartje, Laurens, and Willem... Had they been captured? I squeezed my eyes shut to avoid crying. When I was about to freak out, I heard steps. I grinned as two guards brought Gálvez to my cell... Not a single bruise! A huge weight had been removed from me. Besides, I was glad the seagull poop was no longer on his head. No one deserved to have that stuck to the hair.

"Miguel, I'm so glad you're alright!" I knit my brows. "Next time you worry me like that, I'll seize your rum."

"Fair enough," Gálvez chuckled softly. "I'm thrilled you're fine también."

We hugged each other tightly. Despite the horrible circumstances, that relaxed me significantly. Francis barked nonstop, making a guard roll his eyes. Gálvez and I sat next to each other while my daughters played in another cell... Yes, Luna and Tess had fun in jail!

"I'm sorry I couldn't fight those idiots," Miguel stared at the ground. "I should've protected you and the girls."

"This isn't your fault. The bastards also knocked me down," I gazed at my kids while sighing. "Why did the guards separate us from Tess and Luna? They'll cause trouble really soon..."

"Tell me about it," he bit his lower lip. "It's a matter of time until Luna steals the guard's hat."

We laughed softly. Although I tried to cheer up, that place brought the worst in me. I gulped while remembering Bosch's fingers smashing my neck bones again. That hurt me more than his death. Sweat ran down my back as I recalled my uncle on the Ocean Storm floor... The SHA had to pay for that! Uncle Ruben didn't deserve such cruelty.

"At least being arrested isn't as ridiculous as asking a boy out in exchange for my favorite flower," I raised my brows. "Have I told you this story?"

Gálvez shook his head in denial, "When did that happen?"

"I bet two gold coins that a guy would go out with me on my first try when I was thirteen. Maartje would get the coins if he refused," I rubbed my neck. "That wasn't my best night in Port Royal."

Miguel turned to me completely, "Really? Who did you ask out?"

"A boy leaning against a coconut tree. I couldn't see his face, but he wore a cocked hat and a coat too large for him," I chuckled while recalling that strange night. "He seemed to be a weird pirate like me."

The Spaniard sighed and gazed upwards for a moment, seemingly thinking. I frowned... What was he wondering about? I hoped he wouldn't laugh at my ridiculous attempt.

Gálvez pressed his lips together, "Did a man scold the boy before he had a chance to respond to the girl?"

"Yes! I was so scared that I dropped the flower and ran. The guy claimed to be the boy's father," my eyes bulged. "How did you know?"

"Was it rojo?" Miguel slightly downturned his head. "A red hibiscus?"

I gawked once I realized what had happened... Was I dreaming? That was too crazy! However, I had no reason to doubt Miguel. He said exactly what happened to the boy before I left.

"No way!" I laughed nervously. "I asked you out?"

He nodded, "You almost were my first date. That's why you sounded so familiar when we met in Nassau eight years later."

"This is insane!" I played with my hair. "Why was your dad upset?"

"I'd stolen his hat and coat for the hundredth time," Miguel sighed intensively. "I enjoyed feeling like a captain."

"Now I know who Luna gets the hat stealing from," I smiled mischievously. "Did you get in too much trouble later?"

"Dad was so angry that he told everyone. The crew called me bracitos for months because my arms were too small for the coat," Gálvez chuckled. "It was embarrassing, but I deserved it."

We laughed. I swallowed hard once a familiar and evil admiral approached... Guess who? Stupid Atkins! His lips curled into a cruel smirk as he examined me. I'd rip that grin off his face if that bastard hurt anyone I cared about. My legs trembled once I remembered how he brutally murdered my ex-husband.

Is the mysterious cruel lady worse than Atkins?

The admiral narrowed his eyes, "Are the accommodations satisfactory?"

"You know how to make a woman feel like a queen," I grinned sarcastically. "The iron bars are really fancy."

"The Englishman will be delightful to know," Atkins chuckled. "He'll rip out every part of you, little Dutch lady."

"Over my dead body," Miguel shot the admiral an icy glare. "Besides, she has a name, estúpido!"

Atkins shrugged, "I never had a problem with dead bodies, Spaniard."

The air ran up and down my nostrils so quickly that I thought I'd faint. I swallowed hard, hoping my daughters hadn't heard that damn admiral. I bit my lower lip sharply as Atkins ground his teeth. Miguel remained still, seemingly unafraid... How could he do that? I'd be freaking out if I were him.

"I'm not killing your lover today," Atkins turned to me. "Consider yourself lucky."

"We're just friends," I huffed. "How many times will I need to explain this?"

"I couldn't care less about your relationships," the admiral laughed evilly. "You won't live enough to have one anyway..."

I sighed in relief as Atkins left. God, that ridiculous guy was making me want to explode... Francis whined, apparently feeling my distress. I stared at my toes, wishing I could caress my dog's head. Although Francis and I weren't in the same cell, he seemed to know how I felt. I couldn't understand how dogs were so smart.

"Thank God that bastard didn't hurt you!" my eyes widened. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Miguel gazed at the girls. "If he'd also threatened the girls, I would've used a much uglier Spanish word."

Shaking my head in denial, I chuckled softly... How could I let the grandmas catch me again and abduct my daughters? Maybe Dirk was right and I deserved the mistreatment. I covered my eyes, more ashamed than ever.

Why didn't I knock down my enemy at the beach?

"That man isn't worth your tears," Miguel slowly put an arm around me. "We'll defeat the SHA. Together."

I rested my head on his shoulder, "Why didn't I open a tavern instead of becoming captain?"

Gálvez gently stroked my back, "Because you were born to lead. I'm sure Laurens and Maartje would agree."

"Thank you," I giggled and almost slapped myself for it. "I want you to participate if I start a tavern that also serves food. After all, we both like to eat!"

The Spaniard nodded, "I'd love to, but empanadas and sangría are the only things I can make."

"You have to cook for me someday," I grinned mischievously. "The meal will become even more interesting if I bring rum..."

"I promise I will," Miguel raised a brow. "Sangría has wine already. Won't we get too drunk?"

I winked, "That's the idea."

Gálvez laughed softly... Don't judge me! I needed some rum after being arrested, losing my uncle, and being treated horribly by Dirk. Beads of sweat ran down my forehead as I observed the threatening prison guards. Tess and Francis were busy playing, so I didn't worry about them. However, Luna kept calling the men's attention, which gave me jitters... What if they lost their patience with her? She was adorable, but I wasn't sure SHA men would be gentle to a pirate captain's daughter.

Luna approached a guard, "Me gusta tu abrigo. Quiero uno."

The Armada man pressed his lips together as if he held a smile. He turned to the other guard, making me gulp. I narrowed my eyes, ready to destroy him if he did anything bad to Luna.

"I can't believe we're keeping such a lovely creature in prison!" the Armada guard shook his head in denial. "This should be considered a crime!"

The other man rolled his eyes, "You're only saying that because she speaks your language. She'll be a dirty pirate like her parents."

"Don't say that!" the Spanish man scowled. "She's my friend now."

Maybe I should've brought Luna to SHA conflicts more often.

I covered my laugh, unable to believe Luna had melted the heart of an SHA man... Wasn't she incredible? Even Francis made people angry sometimes, but not Luna. Just like her dad, she had an unexplainable charm that made everyone like her... Perhaps it was the Spanish magic.

My eyes gleamed, "You'll rule the world if you keep winning people over so easily, Luna."

Breathing faster, I swallowed my tears as Atkins returned. Two other guards came with him. They looked so threatening that I wanted to scream. I got closer to Miguel, feeling an urge to hug him... Although I didn't need protection, it wasn't a terrible idea to have it. I put both hands behind my back to hide my trembling when Atkins opened the cell.

The admiral struck his foot against my legs, "Get up, criminal. The leader wants to see you."

Miguel looked at me while biting his lower lip. I shook my head in denial, assuring him I didn't need help. I followed my enemies to the hallway. Luna cried and Tess grabbed the iron bars as they observed me. Francis whined, seemingly worried. I swallowed hard three times as the hall became darker. Fewer fire torches showed up as we went further.

This won't end well for me.

"The Englishman will have so much fun with you. I'm sure you'll never forget the experience," Atkins approached my ear. "He loves the blondies..."

I shot him a defiant gaze, "I'm not afraid of his tiny friend."

The admiral pressed his hand violently against my back, pushing me harder to walk. Although I wanted to, I didn't flinch. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of my pain. I laughed, satisfied I'd offended the masculine pride of his stupid leader.

My lips curled into a sarcastic grin, "We could have a drink if you politely apologize and get me out of here."

Atkins scowled, "Shut up, witch!"

"Still no sense of humor," I shook my head in denial. "Your wife must love this bitterness of yours."

The admiral huffed and yet didn't punch me in the face... He was more controlled than I'd thought. I gulped once he opened a large wooden door in the darkest corner of the hallway. The stranger who'd threatened my family stood before a wooden table. I took a deep breath as the guards tied me to a chair. Atkins left with them and closed the door after the leader nodded.

I guess he won't rape me. How could he do it if I'm stuck to a chair?

The man leaned towards me, "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this moment."

I glanced away, "Believe me, the feeling isn't mutual."

"I'm Admiral Thomas Wright, also known as The Englishman," Wright sighed pronouncedly. "God, I hate that nickname..."

The Englishman walked around me. His expression was so stern that I thought his face was made of stone... What a great start! I frowned since I hated it when people analyzed me. I'd been judged enough times and didn't need another Navy guy saying nonsense. If a gold coin fell on my lap each time someone attacked me for being a woman pirate captain, I would've gotten rich... Wait! I was wealthy already, so never mind.

"If you want to kill me, get it over with!" I pressed my lips together. "Just let me say goodbye to the kids, the man who came with me, and the dog."

Wright crossed his arms, "Why would I? You'd be useless dead."

I rolled my eyes, "I know that speech. You'll try to kill me eventually, like every man who hates pirates."

"You don't know me as well as you think," he walked closer. "I don't hate pirates even though I tried to for years."

Is this guy serious?

What were Wright's intentions? Had he hit his head somewhere? The whole purpose of the SHA was to eliminate pirates! Panting, I wished my friends rescued me. Even though I'd escaped many challenging situations alone, I couldn't that time.

"Do you truly believe I'm falling for this?" I laughed nervously. "I've been deceived enough times in this life!"

The Englishman took a deep breath, "Would you like to know the real reason why I've been looking for you desperately?"

I forced a smile, "As long as it doesn't involve confiscating my loot, we're fine."

"Your stolen goods don't interest me," Wright squeezed his eyes shut. "I need your help, Captain Storm."

My jaw dropped, "What?!"

I expected everything from the SHA's leader. Violence, cold glares, ugly words... Everything but a call for help. Swallowing hard, I tried to understand what had happened. Did Admiral Wright tell the truth? I wondered if I was stuck in a dream... Guess what? That situation was as real as the seagull pooping on Miguel's hair! My eyes were so widened it seemed they'd jump out of my face. I couldn't believe Wright needed me. That was the last thing I thought my enemy would say.

****

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. Also, please take a look at my aesthetic for Hunter Atkins. It's right below the translations. Why does Admiral Wright need Eva's help? What is he hiding? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

A fun surprise: I'll publish a bonus scene that will show Eva and Miguel's story with the hibiscus flower! :-) You'll get to see exactly what happened and a special aesthetic I created for this moment. The extra scene will be published after the last chapter of this book.

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Rojo means "red" in Spanish

2. Bracitos means "little arms" in Spanish

3. Estúpido means "idiot" in Spanish (not a literal translation)

4. Me gusta tu abrigo means "I like your coat" in Spanish

5. Quiero uno means "I want one" in Spanish

I chose Jason Isaacs to be Hunter Atkins because he fits Hunter's description perfectly and I really like him as an actor. He's great at playing villains. If "Battles and Secrets" becomes a movie someday, I believe Jason would be a great choice to play Hunter. I hope you like my aesthetic!