Maartje and I couldn't stop crying. Luckily, no one else was on Ocean Storm because the male crewmembers hated sentimentality. They'd probably show some empathy since my uncle had been murdered, but I never took risks when near them... What? People can be horribly judgmental! Uncle Ruben was among the few people who'd never judged me. Now he was gone because of me. If I had surrendered to the damn SHA, perhaps my uncle would still be alive. I felt a horrible headache as I thought of what else those bastards had in store. I was broken inside. Although I still cried, I sighed in relief once Laurens and Miguel showed up with the kids. Both men gawked, seemingly as shocked as I was.

"Santa Madre de Dios...", Gálvez breathed faster. "I'll take the kids away before they see this."

Laurens gave Willem to the Spaniard, "Excellent idea."

Miguel went downstairs with the children and my quartermaster slowly walked towards my poor uncle. Maartje ran to Laurens and hugged him desperately. Francis wouldn't stop whining as he sniffed my uncle Ruben. I scowled while observing a strange black stone by his body... Guess what was under it? A stupid piece of paper! I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the message or not.

I narrowed my eyes at the note, "What do you want now, idiots? Wasn't killing my uncle enough?"

Before opening the folded paper, I took a deep breath. My eyes widened and my hands were flooded with sweat as I read:

Captain Storm,

You didn't follow our instructions and caused one of your crewmembers to die. Surrender to us in the port of Havana tomorrow when the sun sets, or we'll do something much worse.

T.E.M

I squeezed my eyes shut to stop the tears. My head was hurting so much that I couldn't pay attention to what Maartje and Laurens talked about. My cousin wouldn't stop screaming and crying... and she had every right to do it. My heart got more shattered every time I looked at my uncle. I wanted to hug Miguel once he returned to the main deck. All I needed was a warm embrace and a shoulder to cry on... two things that my cousin and my oldest friend couldn't provide since they were distracted. Dirk probably wouldn't give me that either.

"I just put the kids to sleep," Gálvez put a hand on his head. "I can't believe Ruben is gone! How did this happen?"

My cousin wiped away a tear, "My father was already dead when Eva and I arrived. We believe the SHA killed him."

"What? The SHA?" Laurens frowned. "Navies are ruthless, but I never imagined they'd do something so atrocious."

Miguel cried as he knelt beside my uncle, "Me neither! Qué malditos..."

That was the first time I'd seen Gálvez crying. I sighed in relief once I realized my uncle wasn't the only man unafraid of having emotions. My trust in people increased when they showed not to be made of stone.

I handed the note to my friends, "The bastards sent another threat."

They quickly grabbed the paper and started reading. Maartje shot an icy glare at the note like it was an enemy. Laurens shook his head in denial and Miguel pressed his lips together... Yeah, no one was happy about that second message. Francis barked when he sniffed the paper as if he knew what was going on.

"I don't care what else these maniacs do!" Maartje returned me the note. "You're not going to surrender!"

"They've assassinated your father. We're out of options," I glanced at the starry sky as if it was the last time. "I won't put the people I care about in danger again."

"Eva, the SHA already killed Ruben!" Gálvez breathed faster and more tears ran down his face. "They'll murder you too!"

"I must do this," I stared at my toes. "Promise me you'll take care of Luna and Tess if I don't come back."

"I promise, but don't say that. We can't lose you," Miguel let out a pronounced sigh while approaching me. "I can't lose you..."

Squeezing my eyes shut, I recalled the stupid note. How could I be sure the SHA wouldn't kill another person I loved? That was torture... When I thought things couldn't get any worse, Dirk returned. He glared at me, but his gaze softened a little once he saw my uncle Ruben... emphasis on little. I gulped as the redhead got closer and took the paper from me. Francis growled, ready to attack, but I made him a signal to stop.

I sighed, "This is what I tried to tell you last night. It's the second time the SHA threatens me."

"Unbelievable!" Dirk threw the letter on the floor. "Your uncle died because of your incompetence?"

I shook my head in denial. For a brief moment, I was sure Bosch would find the small amount of sweetness inside him and comfort me, but guess what? He only made me feel worse! What a supportive husband... Besides losing my uncle, I had to deal with Dirk putting me down.

Don't cry because of him. You're better than this.

"Uncle Ruben died, we're in danger, and this is what you say?" I laughed nervously. "Your empathy moves me!"

Bosch bared his teeth, "If you'd let me be the captain, this wouldn't have happened!"

"I can't deal with you right now, Dirk!" I scowled. "Get out of my sight!"

"I'm sick of taking orders from you!" the redhead pursed his lips. "I'll do whatever I want."

Taking a deep breath, I avoided saying something unpolite... Why did my husband have to disrespect me in front of everyone? I couldn't believe it! The worst part was I couldn't punish Dirk like Laurens and I did with other rebellious pirates. The redhead probably knew that and was using it against me.

Dirk should've come with a warning when we met.

"If you don't leave me alone now, you'll get nothing from the next ship we loot! I'll seize your part," I crossed my arms. "That doesn't sound fun, does it?"

You didn't read it wrong. I'd really threatened to take Dirk's part from our next plunder... Don't judge me! Bosch acted like a child, so he got treated like one. Francis barked, seemingly happy with my response. Miguel covered his mouth, apparently hiding a laugh. Maartje shot Bosch such an angry stare that I thought she'd kill him. Laurens shook his head in denial as if he watched a mother punishing a stubborn kid.

Dirk huffed, "This isn't over!"

I sighed in relief once Bosch left. My heart suddenly felt lighter as he walked downstairs and disappeared. I was much happier when Dirk went away than when he was nearby... Weird, right? People are supposed to like their spouse's company! Maybe something was wrong. I just couldn't accept it.

Laurens pressed his lips together, "I know Dirk's your husband, but will he ever stop being a jerk? He can't even respect our grief!"

Miguel looked at the sky, "People never change their nature, Laurens."

More tears ran down my cheeks as I looked at my deceased uncle. The message was clear... Never mess with cruel people. I didn't know if I worried about my uncle's death, Dirk's mistreatment, or the SHA's second threat.

"We should say goodbye to my father and take him to the ocean," my cousin took a deep breath. "He deserves to be where he loved the most, not on a dirty wooden floor."

I walked closer to Maartje, "Are you sure you're ready?"

"Dad wouldn't want us to keep crying. We must find the SHA's stupid leader and destroy them," she looked away for an instant. "That's what would make him happy."

Although I didn't want to admit it, Maartje was right. Uncle Ruben would hate it if we kept sobbing with the enemy still on the loose. Regardless of how much it'd hurt, we couldn't leave my uncle on Ocean Storm forever. He wouldn't stand up and say he'd just fainted. The blood around him and the massive scar on his neck made that clear.

"Alright," I pressed my lips together to avoid sobbing more. "Each one of us can say something before the final goodbye."

Maartje hugged Laurens and came back to crying desperately. Francis whined. I rubbed my forehead, unable to speak first. That was one of the worst nights of my life... I felt as if my entire body would break at any second. Miguel took a step forward, seemingly ready to talk.

"Ruben, you were one of the smartest and kindest men I've ever met. When scarlet fever killed my father, I cried so much that one of our crewmembers called me a lady, but you were there for me. When I panicked because I was too young to be captain, you didn't let me give up," Gálvez wiped away more tears with his sleeve. "You were my older brother because you praised me when I did something right, but always spoke your mind when I made mistakes. Thank you for being my friend and, more importantly, giving me strength."

Miguel stared at his toes while taking a step back. I hated to see people I liked suffering. It was worse than being flogged by Hendrika... Don't look at me like that! You know emotional pain can be worse than physical. Gálvez and I hugged each other desperately. I closed my eyes since that warm embrace made me feel unexplainably calm. All my worries seemed to disappear for a moment. Sometimes I forgot how lucky I was to have him as my friend.

How can Miguel's hugs be so much better than everyone else's?

"You were a great father-in-law to me, a fantastic grandfather to Willem, and a phenomenal dad to the woman I love," Laurens pressed his lips together. "I'm thankful for all the joy you brought Ocean Storm every day. Rest in peace."

Maartje knit her brows as she looked at me. Although she hadn't said a word, I knew how broken inside she was. I'd suffered greatly when my father died too, but her pain was probably worse than mine. Different from me, my cousin had a strong bond with her dad. Uncle Ruben and Maartje had a friendship full of love and trust that could never be replaced.

"Dad, I'll miss you for the rest of my life. You were my best friend and one of the people I loved the most. You gave me love, knowledge, hope, and an unforgettable childhood with more stealing than I'd to admit," Maartje sobbed and caressed her father's face. "Every ship I plunder with my family, I'll remember our adventures. Every second I smile, I'll remember our fun moments. When my time comes, I'll meet you in a sky full of galleons and we'll take all their gold."

If this is a strategy to make me cry more, it's working.

All the memories I had of my uncle hit me like the worst explosion ever. The night he arrived in Curaçao with Maartje when I was thirteen, when he helped me escape my hostile home, the fighting classes, our laughs, my first plunder... Everything. Uncle Ruben made me see life wasn't always bad. Before he showed up, I thought I'd be miserable forever.

"Uncle Ruben, you changed my life. If you hadn't shown up in Willemstad twelve years ago, I would've never known what it means to be happy. You were the first person who loved me," I wiped away some tears. "Without you, I wouldn't have found what I was born to do. You gave me everything I needed and more. I'll be eternally grateful for all you've done for me. I love you."

My cousin ran and hugged all of us. Laurens, Miguel, and I slowly returned the embrace. Francis whined and licked my boots, apparently wanting a hug as well. Once that affectionate moment ended, I caressed my dog and sighed.

Maartje turned to Laurens, "Could you and Miguel please take my dad home?"

My oldest friend nodded, "Of course, my love."

Gálvez and Laurens lifted my uncle's body off the ground. My heartache increased as they approached the starboard side of Ocean Storm. I took a deep breath once they threw my uncle in the ocean. Francis wouldn't stop whining. Laurens and Maartje held each other's hands for an instant. I glanced downward, envious of their love.

Miguel stared at the floor, "Dios mío, that was devastating..."

"I couldn't agree more," I rubbed my eyes. "Not even the Spanish lullaby you sing to the kids can make me sleep tonight."

"We could give it a try if you want," Gálvez tilted his head to the side. "Luna says I have a soothing voice."

I chuckled softly. My eldest daughter was right... and not only about the voice. Miguel had a weird superpower of making me feel better even when he wasn't relaxed. Although Gálvez and I lived on the same ship for years, I still couldn't understand his special ability.

I smiled, "I appreciate your kindness, Miguel, but I'm fine. Maybe some other time."

I'm the opposite of fine, but let's pretend I'm an unbreakable lady who doesn't fear anything!

Gálvez's eyes bulged as he gazed at my injured wrist. He slowly grabbed it and gawked while observing the bruises more closely. I swallowed hard, hoping the Spaniard wouldn't ask too many questions.

"What happened to your wrist?" Miguel frowned. "Who did this?"

I bit my lower lip, "Don't worry about it."

He raised his brows, "Now I'm more worried."

I felt a strange need to tell Miguel everything, but I didn't want him to know the truth. I was too ashamed. The last thing I needed was to be seen as weak and stupid by one of my best friends.

Gálvez sighed, "It was Dirk, wasn't it?"

Swallowing hard, I tried to forget that complicated situation. I really didn't want to lie... How could I create a fake story instantly? Anyway, I had no choice. I glanced away for a second as I remembered my arguments with Bosch.

"A drunk man attacked me. Just a quick fight," I gulped while gazing at my scratches. "I defeated him."

Miguel pressed his lips together. I took a deep breath, hoping he hadn't found out the truth only by looking at me... No, I couldn't explain what really happened! It'd be embarrassing.

"Muy bien," Gálvez walked closer. "If Dirk ever hurts you, let me know so that I can teach him a lesson."

"Of course," I looked away to avoid crying again. "We should say good night to everyone. Sleeping won't be easy."

He nodded, so we went to Laurens and Maartje. Francis followed us, seemingly less upset... Yeah, I guess dogs recovered faster than humans from tragedies. My friends and I talked for a while before going downstairs to sleep. As I expected, Dirk left me alone... What a loving and supportive partner! Aren't you moved? Honestly, I didn't want Bosch to come near me. The last person I needed was someone who'd given me a few happy moments and a thousand terrible ones. I took a deep breath before trying to fall asleep. 

****

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. Is Ruben going to be avenged? Will our captain stop hiding and denying the truth about her marriage? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance: 

1. Santa Madre de Dios means "Holy Mother of God" in Spanish

2. Qué malditos means "those damn men" in Spanish (not a literal translation)

3. Dios mío means "my God" in Spanish

4. Muy bien means "very well" in Spanish