The mysterious young woman wouldn't leave my mind. Although I talked to my friends and laughed while we returned to Ocean Storm, her words still haunted me. We walked around Havana, I stole a gift for Dirk, the night had arrived... and I still thought about that woman. I bit my lower lip while trying to imagine how horrible would the attack she mentioned be. Besides, I had to find out who she was. What if she worked for the navies and attempted to fool me? I wanted to tell Laurens, Maartje, and Miguel about the stranger, but I wasn't sure if it'd cause more problems. Maybe my cousin would get angry again because I excluded her from dangerous pirate affairs... Who am I kidding? I didn't care! I had to tell her. In fact, I needed to reveal what happened to all my friends. The Sea Hunters Alliance affected all of us, so I shouldn't hide it.

"I can't believe you stole this black vest for Dirk," Maartje frowned as she pointed at the gift. "He always complains of everything you get him!"

I sighed, "It'll be different this time. The guy I once loved is still in there somewhere."

I bit my lower lip while gazing at the stolen vest. That was one of my attempts to improve my husband's mood. Although I hadn't succeeded in pleasing him since our second anniversary, I had to try again. I couldn't let Dirk's sourness ruin our relationship... at least not entirely.

Maartje stared at her toes, "What if this Dirk you're talking about never existed? Perhaps he hid his true self at the beginning and only showed it later."

Could my cousin be right? God, I hoped not... Especially because it involved the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with. I didn't make a mistake... or did I?

"Dirk and I had many bad moments, but I need to make this work!" I ground my teeth and looked away. "I must fix this!"

"How many times did he try to please you?" Maartje raised her brows. "Come on! You're the only one who's making an effort."

My eyes bulged, "Dirk took a bullet for me once! There's no way he doesn't love me."

My cousin knit her brows, "A lot can happen in four years and a few months."

I let out a pronounced sigh. Dirk and I were mad in love when our relationship started, so what happened? No, nothing happened! Everything was fine. I'd chosen the right man. That was just a phase... Perhaps a phase that lasted years, but still.

"Anyway, I have something important to share," I gulped as I remembered the mysterious lady. "Call Laurens and Miguel since they're distracted talking."

Maartje shrugged, "I'll call them, but you can't hide from your relationship issues forever. Changing the subject won't change the truth."

No, but it'll make it less painful.

I took a deep breath as my cousin spoke to my two other friends. Although talking about the mysterious woman wouldn't be pleasant, at least it didn't smash my heart. Besides, I had to mention her sooner or later.

I turned to my friends, "This weird thing happened when I went to get our other drinks..."

I told them everything. Luckily, Maartje didn't get angry that I went to talk to the lady alone. I felt a headache once I recalled the RNN was involved in that mess. I hoped no other Van Acker family member had joined them... The last thing I needed was more problems.

Laurens put a hand on his chin, "This lady must be hiding something."

"Something?" Maartje chuckled nervously. "Darling, she's probably hiding many things."

Miguel raised a brow, "Do you know who the woman could be running from, Storm?"

"Probably Navy or Armada men," I bit my lower lip. "Did I say it correctly? Luna will laugh at me again if I keep mispronouncing Spanish words."

"You're a natural. Kids laugh at everything, so don't worry about it," Gálvez smiled sweetly. "My young sister Nuria, for example, laughed every time someone tripped and fell."

I chuckled, "Really? I think I'd get along with her."

"Seguramente. Before becoming a privateer with my dad, I stole fabrics with Nuria. Our mom was a seamstress and needed the material," Miguel sighed as if good memories came to mind. "Nuria and I helped our mother a lot, but we stole mostly for fun. We were mischievous."

"That's amazing!" I grinned widely. "If I'd been born in Spain, you two would've been my childhood best friends."

Gálvez smiled, "The three of us would've been unstoppable together."

We laughed loudly. Although I talked to Miguel a lot, I'd never heard that story before. He and Nuria had fun stealing, just like I did during my childhood in Willemstad! That was really wonderful... Miguel and I both had a younger sibling, but our relationships with them were completely different. Johannes never had a good time with me.

I wish talking to Dirk made me feel this good...

A few minutes later, my friends and I arrived at Ocean Storm. Uncle Ruben's lips curled into a weak smile as he saw us. Francis whined, apparently scared. I knit my brows as he had some ugly injuries on both arms and shoulders. Maartje gawked as she observed her father. Gálvez and Laurens scowled, seemingly confused as well. I gulped as I saw the damage on my ship's floor.

I hope this wasn't the attack that lady mentioned!

"Who did this to you?" my eyes widened as I approached my uncle. "Where are the kids?"

Miguel breathed faster, "If someone hurt my daughter, I swear they'll regret it..."

Luna, Tess, and Willem came running. I smiled widely when my daughters embraced me. Laurens and my cousin hugged their son, apparently happy as well. I'd freak out if my girls were injured.

"Luna! Gracias a Dios," Miguel sighed in relief. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"I missed you!" Luna grinned and raised her brows. "We defeated los hombres malos!"

Gálvez raised a brow, "Did the bad guys harm you, princesa?"

My eldest daughter's smile faded. She hugged Miguel and me tightly, seemingly afraid. Tess threatened to cry, so I caressed her head. I gulped, wondering who Luna was talking about... What if she and Tess had seen something traumatizing? My precious daughters didn't deserve to suffer! Besides, I looked in every direction, but no sign of Bosch. Perhaps he was still in the gun deck. God, I hoped he didn't end up hurt... Although I wasn't sure whether my husband was worried about me, I hated the idea of him in danger.

"What happened, sweetie?" I caressed Luna's face. "Please, tell us."

My eldest bit her lower lip, "Mommy, it was so scary! Uncle Ruben was attacked."

Laurens squinted as he carried Willem, "What's going on, Ruben? Who invaded our ship?"

"Three aggressive men showed up a while ago. Luckily, I hid the kids before they did too much damage," my uncle sighed as if he tried to remember details. "The bastards left a weird note for Eva."

I breathed faster as I slowly took the paper from my uncle's hand. The kids took some steps back. My three friends walked closer, seemingly curious about the note as well. I gawked after reading:

Captain Storm,

The Sea Hunters Alliance demands your surrender. Your time as a pirate is over. Meet us tomorrow when the sun sets, or your friends will end up just like the crossbones below: without a head. Be smart. Don't ignore this.

T.E.M

I felt a horrible shiver. Besides the terrible message, there was a drawing of black crossbones without the skull right under the signature. Did that mean the Sea Hunters Alliance wanted to cut our heads off? What was going on? Who was T.E.M? My life only got crazier... I spent four years relatively out of the Royal Navy's reach and now they'd made an alliance with other navies? Also, I'd never imagined they would send death threats. That was too much, even for them.

I hope they don't know I have two daughters! They might be in danger!

Laurens gawked and embraced Maartje, apparently wanting to protect her. Gálvez rubbed his forehead, seemingly thinking. I gulped while remembering the attack mentioned by the mysterious woman... What if she was talking about the assassination of the people I love? I could only see one option... and it didn't include a happy ending for me. I took a deep breath and glanced away before telling the painful truth to my friends.

Maartje's eyes widened, "I know that look, Eva. Don't even think about it!"

"What?" I scowled. "You don't know what I was going to say!"

"Yes, I do!" my cousin crossed her arms. "You want to meet the murderers alone, outsmart them with some weird plan, and defeat them on your own."

I chuckled nervously, "That was surprisingly accurate."

I hate Maartje's superpowers sometimes.

Francis walked closer and whined. Luckily, the children were distracted playing behind me. Gálvez shook his head in denial, seemingly upset by my decision.

"I'm with Maartje," Miguel sighed. "You shouldn't risk yourself like that."

Laurens glanced at the floor, "Also, they'll probably come after us even if you surrender."

I raised my brows, "Not if I kill them first."

Uncle Ruben took a deep breath. He looked at me as if I was a stubborn child, which made me roll my eyes. I'd been captain of Ocean Storm for years! Why did my family act like I didn't know what I was doing? Don't look at me like that. You know I made a lot of good decisions.

My uncle bit his lower lip, "Listen to us, Storm. This is certainly a trap. You're an excellent fighter, but you can't take down multiple navies alone."

Francis licked my hand as if he tried to motivate me. I paced, wondering what a better choice would be. The bastards could kill Dirk, Maartje, my kids, Miguel... everyone. All because of me! However, my friends were right. T.E.M and the stupid Sea... you know what? Their damn name is too long! I'll just call them SHA. Anyway, T.E.M and the SHA would most likely go after everyone regardless of my surrender.

"Fine. We're stopping the SHA together," I took a deep breath. "Tomorrow, we'll get more information from other pirates. Let's destroy these freaks!"

Luna smiled and hugged my right leg, "I'll destroy the freaks with you!"

Great! Now my daughter learned a new ugly word!

I gulped, unsure of what to do. Yeah, Luna was too attentive sometimes... Don't judge her! Kids love to interfere in adult conversations. My eldest daughter liked to do it a little bit too much, but still.

"Don't say 'freaks'. It's an adult word," I caressed her face and smiled. "I'm sorry, darling, but you're too small to help us."

Luna crossed her arms and pouted. I put a hand on my mouth to hide my laugh... Why were children so cute when upset? I couldn't understand.

"Mom is right, princesa. Besides, it's late," Miguel took our daughter's hand. "I'll tell you a story and you'll sleep like a queen. How about that?"

My little girl nodded, "Yes! Like a queen!"

"Miguel really has a way with kids," Laurens raised his brows. "I have to bribe Willem with food to make him sleep."

Uncle Ruben, Maartje, and I laughed. My joy suddenly faded once I thought of Dirk. He could've gotten hurt when our enemies left that stupid note. I took Tess and ran to my room. I hugged Bosch tightly once I saw him. My sweating decreased once I realized he had no injuries. I frowned as my husband didn't return the embrace. It was as if he didn't want to touch me, but I tried to ignore it.

"I'm so relieved you're fine, Dirk! Uncle Ruben told me some dangerous men came and left this note," I bit my lower lip. "Did you read it?"

"Of course not! I was out all day," Bosch rolled his eyes after observing Tess. "Ms. Annoying Voice is here? Great..."

I shook my head in denial, trying to ignore his unnecessary attacks. Luckily, Tess was busy touching every wooden wall she could find. I hoped she hadn't heard anything. Tess would be broken-hearted if she understood as many things as Luna did.

"We can talk about it later," I smiled and showed him the vest. "I brought you something."

Dirk raised a brow when he grabbed the gift. He analyzed it, apparently searching for defects. I pressed my lips together, hoping he wouldn't lash out at me for no reason.

"You stole things for me again?" Bosch threw the vest on the floor. "Stupid gifts won't solve the problem!"

I swallowed hard, trying to hold my tears. Tess looked at me for a moment, seemingly curious about what was going on.

I shot him a defiant stare, "What problem?"

"You are my problem, Eva. I thought I could handle your weirdness, but I was wrong!" Dirk put both hands on his head. "You're so masculine that I can't even look at you."

"What? For God's sake!" I forced a laugh. "You married a female pirate captain, so you knew exactly what you were getting into!"

"Honestly, I didn't. You bring the worst in me and that only got clearer over the years," Dirk narrowed his eyes as if I was an enemy. "Look at the things you make me say! This wouldn't happen if you knew your place."

My place? What the hell? This can't be happening...

I gawked and took a step back... Had I really done something wrong? What if Dirk was right and it was my fault he acted like that? I felt so small that I thought I'd turn to dust... No, I wouldn't let him make me feel bad. There was no way I'd be put down by my own husband... Had he always been like that? Maybe I was too blind to see the real him.

"If you want to fix this relationship, change this ridiculous behavior!" Bosch ground his teeth. "Put on a dress and stop bossing me around. A man shouldn't be below his woman!"

I scowled, "No person is below the other in a relationship. We're partners."

Bosch raised his brows, "I'm only asking you to act like a wife instead of upsetting me with your irritating personality. Would that be so hard?"

Am I going crazy, or he wants me to be a different person?

I shook my head in denial. If Maartje were watching us arguing, she would've said, "I told you so." Bosch got so close that I could feel him breathing angrily. I no longer felt good when he was that near. Despite the scary situation, I wouldn't let him win.

"I don't just laugh at jokes, I create them. I don't watch men drinking, I drink with them," I breathed faster while glaring at him. "If you want to be traditional, join a navy and get out!"

Dirk pursed his lips and clenched both fists. Tess knit her brows, apparently confused. I touched my cutlass, ready to defend myself if necessary. I squeezed my eyes shut as Bosch punched the wall twice.

"You need me, so you'll eventually do what I want," Bosch stared me down like never before. "Otherwise, good luck finding a man who's crazy enough to like the real you!"

Tess hugged my right leg tightly, "Mommy, I'm scared!"

So am I, sweetie.

I took a deep breath. Tess was the only reason why I didn't say everything I wanted to. Dirk had shown hostility in front of our daughter, but I wouldn't do the same.

"You should at least respect your child," I pointed at my little girl. "I brought her here so that you could say good night."

Dirk huffed, "The Bosch men only have sons. Ms. Annoying Voice is probably Miguel's daughter."

"Right!" I shot Bosch an icy glare. "That's why Tess has red hair just like him!"

Bosch punched the wall again and left the room in a hurry. You probably think that was the first time my husband decided to sleep in a different room... Guess what? Nope! Dirk and I hadn't spent a night together since Tess.

Why's Dirk so mean?

I sighed in relief when Gálvez showed up. After being threatened by the damn SHA and despised by my own husband, I could use a friend. Especially one that made me feel calm.

"I just put Luna to sleep," Miguel analyzed me as if he knew something was wrong. "Would you like me to do the same with Tess?"

I nodded and he slowly took Tess in his arms. At least someone besides me didn't treat her like garbage. My poor daughter didn't deserve to be despised.

Gálvez walked closer, "Is everything alright?"

Swallowing hard, I hoped he hadn't heard the argument. I couldn't talk about my horrible marriage with anyone. I was so ashamed I couldn't even look in the Spaniard's eyes, much less tell him about Bosch's attitude. Although my heart begged me to reveal the truth, the words wouldn't come out.

"Dirk was just angry," I forced a smile. "Nothing new."

"Let me know if you need anything," Miguel slowly walked away. "I don't like seeing you upset."

I chewed on my lip, "Thank you. I'm good for now."

As good as a shattered piece of wood...

Once Gálvez left, I let some tears flow. I rubbed my eyes while taking another look at the SHA note. My mind was a mess. I was threatened by enemies and mistreated by my husband on the same night... How entertaining! I hoped to defeat SHA and that Dirk stopped being so cruel. 

****

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 the translations can be found below. Will Dirk stop mistreating Eva? Who's behind the SHA? Keep reading and you'll find out... ;-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend Piratesforlife

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance: 

1. Seguramente means "definitely" in Spanish

2. Gracias a Dios means "thank God" in Spanish

3. Los hombres malos means "the bad men" in Spanish