Although I seemed fine on the outside, I panicked on the inside. My vocal cords begged me to scream. I'd lose it if those men in grandma wigs shot everyone... Why did I care so much about the people close to me? Stupid sensitive heart! Love is beautiful, but only when it's related to friends and family. At that moment, romantic love was nothing but a lie to me... a huge one! Anyway, I got distracted for a second. I took a deep breath while leaving Ocean Storm and fixed my gaze on the oldest officer. He glared, seemingly wanting to throw me to the sharks... which was probably true. Even though I trembled, no one made me feel small as efficiently as Dirk did. If the officer knew about Bosch's talent to give me jitters, the guy would've recruited him... Almost forgot! Besides looking at me as if I was a freak, my former husband followed me. I rolled my eyes, unable to believe his stubbornness.
I bit my lower lip, "What are you doing?"
"You aren't my captain anymore, so I can do as I please!" Bosch narrowed his eyes. "I'll teach these bastards something you won't be able to."
"Dirk, you're going to get us both killed!" I ground my teeth. "Stop acting like a child! Haven't you tortured me enough?"
He scowled, "I'll not let you ruin everything like you always do!"
I raised my brows, "Are you sure I'm the one who does that?"
Can't he just leave me alone?
Still holding his damn pistol, the British officer cleared his throat and walked closer. I gulped while feeling the hate coming from his eyes. God, that man would've gotten along perfectly with my stepmother... The same was true about Dirk. They'd have a lot of fun while flogging my back.
"I don't have time to hear your stupid arguments!" the officer glowered. "Come with us now, lady!"
I crossed my arms, "First, it's Captain Storm. Second, you clearly don't know what a real argument is."
When I stepped forward, Dirk laid his cold hand on my shoulder and pushed me back hard. Bosch used to do that on other guys to protect me, but guess what? Now I was the target... How delightful! The British officer frowned, seemingly as surprised as me... Yes, even my enemy knew Dirk was a complete jerk.
"Don't worry about her. She doesn't make any sense," Bosch shot me a defiant gaze. "I'll speak on her behalf."
Unbelievable, wasn't it? I put both hands on my face and controlled myself not to scream... Was that idiot kidding me? That couldn't be happening! I wanted to cry for help, but I had to deal with that on my own. There was no way I'd disappoint my crew because of a stupid and aggressive man who'd made my life a living hell. After straightening up, I approached the angry officer.
"He's had too much rum. You know what I'm talking about since you guys drink a bunch too!" I forced a laugh and gulped. "Anyway, I surrender. Let's get this over with."
I had a plan in my mind already. I intended to use that fake surrender as a way to get more information on the SHA... Yes, it was risky, but I had to try. The leader would probably reveal his stupid evil plan, so I'd take advantage of that... I don't understand why every bad guy tells their strategy! Even Sven couldn't keep his mouth shut when he betrayed me.
Dirk grabbed his cutlass, "This is how a real captain does!"
Glancing at Maartje and Laurens, I hoped they didn't end up injured... All I wanted was to protect my crew and find out more about the SHA! Couldn't my stubborn ex understand that? He was risking everything! If the Sea Hunters Alliance boarded Ocean Storm and found Miguel and the kids, my enemies could murder them. I breathed so fast that I thought I'd collapse... No, I wouldn't let it happen! Dirk's foolish pride and impulsive behavior wouldn't kill my family.
The RNN officer approached, "One more step and we will shoot!"
My eyes bulged, "Don't! He's just drunk."
Even though Dirk wasn't drunk, I had to lie. If the SHA started shooting, we were doomed. My crew was large, but the last thing I needed was more people getting killed.
"You're interfering too much!" I looked deep into Bosch's eyes. "Stay quiet and disappear with Tamara after the SHA leaves!"
He kept walking towards the men, "You don't own me!"
My former husband took a deep breath. I cocked my head to the side, wondering what was inside his crazy mind. Although I did my best, it was nearly impossible to stop Bosch from doing stupid things. The SHA men frowned as the redhead kept challenging them... Yes, even my enemies knew he was more immature than a child. I looked at Laurens and slid my index finger across my neck, simulating a throat being slit. He nodded and ran.
I hope Laurens still remembers the signal...
I gawked once Bosch attacked an RNN guy. He stabbed the man in the stomach, leaving a river of blood on the floor. I squeezed my eyes shut and... Guess what? The SHA men attacked us! Tamara jumped into the water and swam away. She loved my former husband so much that she left him... I can't say he didn't deserve it. Honestly, Tamara was too good for Dirk... Don't judge me! She was a nice woman before betraying my trust. Laurens joined the fight with Maartje, Francis, and other crewmembers.
"Change of plans! We'll fight these morons to the death," I turned to my cousin and Laurens. "You two take down the men on the right. I'll deal with the ones on the left."
Maartje grabbed her broadsword, "I didn't hear you and Dirk arguing, but I know he caused this. That bastard made things so much worse!"
"Making things worse is his specialty," I sighed while remembering the countless bad moments Bosch and I had. "If we lose too many crewmembers, I'll kick that idiot into the ocean."
"Not if I do it first," Laurens glared at the redhead. "I wish Miguel were here. We created a special kick to throw Dirk overboard in case he bothered you too much."
"You're unbelievable!" my cousin shook her head in denial. "Why are men such babies?"
I chuckled, "That's one of the things I like the most about them."
The three of us laughed. Francis barked, seemingly agreeing. We started fighting our opponents. I breathed so quickly that the air seemed colder as it went through my nostrils. An Armada man moved his cutlass quicker than a hurricane as I blocked him with difficulties. That guy almost struck his blade against my neck, but Francis sank his teeth into his calf, giving me time to stab him on the thigh. He shouted something in Spanish I didn't understand. Yes, I should've taken classes with Miguel and Luna... Damn it!
I smiled at my dog, "That was fantastic, pal."
Francis licked my hand and I kept fighting the man. My legs burned as the Spaniard fought fast, making me take several steps back while sweat dripped on my neck. I dodged his blows and poked a massive hole into his chest with my cutlass, cracking his skin. The man's eyes bulged and he fell flat on the floor.
This has to end!
I glanced away once Bosch glared at me from a distance. Even though the redhead was fighting, he still made me feel bad... Amazing, wasn't it? What a talented man! I sighed in relief when an RNN guy attacked me with his blade... No, you didn't read it wrong. Anything was better than dealing with Dirk's attitude.
"Don't say I didn't warn you. Breaking up with me was stupid," Bosch slit his enemy's throat from behind. "You always need me to clean up your messes!"
I injured my opponent's left arm, "Who started an unnecessary fight today again?"
Bosch huffed. I gulped as my cutlass collided with the RNN guy's massive blade. The metallic noise made me grimace. I ripped his coat as my sword left an enormous injury on his waist. I kicked the Dutch guy between the legs, making him wince.
Dirk blocked a blow from his new opponent, "I had to! You're not fit to be captain and should've given me the job a long time ago!"
When I thought he wouldn't say more nonsense...
I rolled my eyes. My enemy left a small bruise on my left shoulder. Although it burned, I kept fighting. Francis bit the man's ankle three times, making him scream. Our blades clashed a few more times and my forehead was sweaty. The RNN man grabbed me from behind. I elbowed his ribs and opened such a massive injury on his neck that the ground was flooded with blood.
I laughed sarcastically, "Right! That's exactly why my crew never tried to remove me from the position!"
"They haven't seen how silly you really are yet! I always thought you weren't right for the job, but I didn't tell you because I was in love," Bosch's nostrils were dilated. "Maybe it wasn't love at all."
Wondering if I was stuck in a nightmare, I gawked... The love between Dirk and me had always been a lie? No, that was too bad to be true. Even though our love faded away, I thought at least the start was real. In the beginning, Bosch showed a strong will to protect me... What if that was only a matter of pride? I couldn't think about that subject without feeling a skull-smashing headache.
"Don't fight and argue at the same time! Pick one!" I let out a pronounced sigh and frowned. "Besides, if it wasn't love, what was it?"
The RNN man attacked me again... God, I almost forgot about him! Luckily, I dodged so quickly that he crashed his face against the floor. When my enemy got up, Francis bit the man's ankles, causing him to scream. I cracked his blade with my own. The guy attempted to punch me in the stomach, but I grabbed him from behind and slit his throat.
Uncle Ruben will be avenged! These murderers can't win!
"Probably passion or curiosity. I wanted to try someone different," Dirk killed another enemy. "You made me waste a lot of time, so perhaps the breakup wasn't such a bad idea."
An Armada guy attacked me. I blocked him and gulped as he nearly tore the skin on my arm... Stupid arguments! Why were they so distracting? I'd take forever to defeat those men if Bosch kept talking. However, I had to give him a piece of my mind. He deserved it after everything he did.
"Deep down, I never loved you that much. Ignoring my heart was a horrible mistake," I shook my head in denial. "I was so wrong about you!"
Bosch stared me down. I wanted to keep saying everything I felt, but the mess continued. My sword kept colliding with my opponent's. He wasn't a skillful fighter, so I just punched him in the face, dodged a blow against my waist, and stabbed him in the stomach. Francis licked my boots, seemingly proud... At least my dog still valued me.
Dirk bared his teeth, "I wouldn't have proposed if I knew the hell this would become!"
Before I had a chance to respond, a Navy man attacked Bosch, leaving a massive wound on the latter's shoulder. The British guy's blade went through Dirk's chest, leaving a huge bleeding hole on it. I gawked while the redhead screamed.
Bosch scowled, "This is all your fault!"
"You're the worst!" I wiped away a tear. "I should've never chosen you!"
Sweat dripped from my neck as some memories came to mind. From enemies to lovers, then to enemies again... that was our story. Although I wasn't in love with Dirk, a small part of me cared about his well-being... What if that wound killed him? I didn't want Bosch to die with so much anger inside! Again, my soft heart's fault. To make things worse, the Navy officer who'd talked to me earlier returned. I rolled my eyes.
My enemy's lips curled into a cruel grin, "You pirates are insistent, but you'll never defeat us."
I frowned, "Why don't you go to..."
Two men came from behind and hit my head. Dizzy like never before, I fell like a broken mast during a naval battle. I was so numb that I didn't flinch when my nose collided with the floor. Everything went dark.
****
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 will the SHA take Eva? Are they going to spare the crew? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)