The British were killing me little by little. Although I managed to win every fight against my enemies, I felt destroyed inside every time I faced them. Besides, they always found a way to hurt me both physically and emotionally. Their men usually left at least one injury on me and stressed me so much that I thought I'd explode. Maybe they did that because Sven was by their side. He probably did everything he could to help the Navy ruin my life. Uncle Ruben once said envy was a powerful motivator for treason... yeah, I should've taken that more seriously. The worst part was that Sven's betrayal affected not only me but also other people I cared about. Maartje and Laurens suffered as much as I did. Dirk ended up wounded and it was the traitor's fault as well. My distress increased while I gazed at his injuries. The only thing that comforted me was that we were at the port already. I needed to board Ocean Storm with Bosch before the Navy found us. Besides, I had to take care of his lesions quickly. Taking too long to help a wounded person could cost their life.

"I can take it from here," I looked at Miguel and Maartje. "Thank you for helping me today."

My cousin nodded and left with Francis. Gálvez's lips curled into a weak smile as he slowly walked away. Still helping Dirk to stand, I took him to Ocean Storm. It was night already. I looked from one side to the other, making sure no one was at my ship. It was almost impossible that the British had enough time to find my vessel, but one can never be too careful.

I took Dirk to Kenneth's room, "Hang in there."

Even though I wasn't a professional, Kenneth had taught me a thing or two about first aid. While Bosch sat on a chair, I grabbed some instruments to close his wounds. He grimaced as I cleaned the blood. Luckily, none of his injuries appeared to be infected. His left eye was a little less swollen than before.

"I can't believe I let this happen to you," I shook my head in denial and pressed my lips together. "I'll never forgive myself!"

Bosch caressed my arm, "It's not your fault. They knocked me down very quickly while we were running. There was nothing you could've done to stop it."

I knit my brows, "What did they do to you?"

"Those bastards kicked me repeatedly after making me fall, dragged me to an alley and hit me everywhere they could," Bosch gazed at his wounds and sighed. "I didn't feel my legs when they took me to jail. My head was hurting so much that I could barely open my eyes."

Why am I worried about him? God, this is making me feel stupid...

"That's so terrible that I can't even joke about it," I laughed nervously. "I thought my stepmother was the most aggressive person I've ever met, but I was clearly wrong."

I kept analyzing Dirk's injuries, wondering if they would heal soon. The last thing I wanted for him was more scars. I knew how it felt to have the skin ruined forever.

Bosch raised his brows, "As my brother said, there's always someone worse."

We laughed. I approached Dirk, relieved that he seemed to be feeling better. At least my first aid lessons with Kenneth were useful for something, right? Even though I was sure I'd do everything wrong, the redhead's wounds appeared to be appropriately taken care of.

"Let's walk a little," I held out my hand to him. "It can help your legs recover."

We walked to the mainmast. I smiled while observing the stars and the ocean breeze made my hair flutter. Dirk closed his eyes for a minute, appearing to be enjoying the moment as well. He gazed at me as if he was thinking of something to say.

Bosch took a deep breath, "I never thought the woman who threw me into the ocean would become my guardian angel."

I felt my cheeks blushing. Although I felt stupid for it, I smiled. People had called me many things, but angel definitely wasn't one of them. The only person who once called me that was Laurens when I stole an orange for him.

I chuckled, "I'm a thief. How could I be an angel?"

"You risk everything to save others," he smiled sweetly. "If this isn't the definition of an angel, then I don't know what is."

Shaking my head in denial, I glanced away. The night was so quiet that I could hear my quick heartbeat. Even though I tried to convince myself that didn't happen, my heart raced when Bosch was nearby. I didn't believe in coincidences, so there was a reason why that happened... a reason I could never say out loud without feeling weird.

"Have you taken seduction lessons with Miguel?" I grinned coyly and took a step closer. "Because you've just given me a major compliment."

Dirk's smile suddenly faded and he glared at the horizon. Yeah, I probably shouldn't have mentioned Gálvez. Why did I make that mistake? Only God knew... I hoped the redhead wouldn't argue with me.

"I don't understand what you saw in that Spaniard! You never truly liked him, right?" Bosch cleared his throat. "Not that I care, of course."

Yeah, you definitely don't care, Dirk. Not at all.

I'd be lying if I said I felt absolutely nothing for him. The Spaniard would always be in my heart since he was my first. Besides, Miguel made me feel safe in a way that Dirk couldn't... Don't judge me! How could I feel nothing for a charming and sweet guy like Gálvez? Bosch was the one, but I wouldn't easily forget Gálvez. Besides, despite being in love with Dirk, I still wanted Miguel to be my friend. To prevent Dirk from wrongly thinking that I wished to be with the Spaniard, I decided not to tell the whole truth.

"Miguel was just in the right place at the right time," I shrugged and gazed downward. "I needed to relax and saw an opportunity when he showed up, nothing more."

Yes, I wasn't completely honest, but what else could I do? Bosch had always been hotheaded! He'd freak out if I tried to explain the truth. Dirk nodded, appearing to be absorbing the information. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment as if something agonized him. I gulped, wondering if the redhead had realized I was lying since jealous people were usually more perceptive than others.

"Our battle against the British is imminent and I don't know if I'll get killed, so I need to tell you something," Bosch sighed as he turned to me. "I'm done hiding the truth."

I frowned slightly. What else did Bosch want to say? I hope he wouldn't mention my unborn baby or ask more about my little adventure with Gálvez. Don't get me wrong, I liked talking to Dirk, but not about those subjects.

He took a deep breath, "When we first met, I saw a strength in you I'd never seen in any woman before. I didn't realize it at first but refusing to join you when we first met was my worst mistake."

I approached him while examining his face. My mouth was half-open. God, I felt guilty for lying about my feelings for a moment, but it was for the best. Plus, Miguel would disappear from my thoughts eventually... right? Anyway, the heart is too weird.

"Your worst mistake? I can't believe you're telling me this!" I laughed due to my surprise. "Did the British hit your head too hard?"

Bosch chuckled and shook his head in denial. My heart raced as he took a step closer. For a brief moment, I felt as if we were the only people in the world.

"We could've lived countless adventures together. That's why I regret my decision," Dirk took a deep breath. "Every minute I spent without you was a waste of time."

I blinked fast. Was I dreaming, or he'd actually said that? I pinched myself discreetly. The reason I didn't wake up was simple: that was real. I gawked and stammered as if I'd forgotten how to talk. Although I tried to say something, the words wouldn't come out.

I raised my brows, "How much rum did you drink while in prison?"

Dirk laughed. I smiled, still thinking I was stuck in an illusion. That was too insane to be true. The man who I tried to kill had feelings for me? No way! That couldn't be real.

"I never thought I'd say that, but I can't stop thinking of you," he sighed while looking deep into my eyes. "You're everything I never knew I needed."

What's going on here?

I frowned slightly and gazed downward, "How can you feel this way about me? I threw you into the ocean, kicked you between the legs twice and stole your cutlass!"

Dirk caressed my face as if he was... in love? God, what the hell was happening? I liked Bosch a lot, more than I wanted to admit, but I never expected him to feel the same. At least not with so much intensity.

He smiled broadly, "You saved my life in Tortuga, fought by my side against the British and rescued me from prison. Trust me, you've made up for all your mistakes."

I nodded, still shocked by what was taking place. The last thing I expected was hearing those things from someone. People let me down so often that I thought I'd never find somebody who genuinely cared for me.

"You make me laugh like no one else. I love how you always speak your mind and protect the people you care about," Bosch got closer to me and took my hands gently. "In addition, you're stunningly beautiful and intelligent."

Even though I wasn't facing a mirror, I knew my cheeks were redder than ever. Although I didn't want to admit it, I really wanted to be with Dirk. He was someone I could definitely imagine myself with and we had very similar stories. Despite my physical attraction and slight feelings for the Spaniard, I didn't think we could be together. Gálvez and I were extremely different from each other... We didn't even speak the same language! Besides, what if Miguel was too good to be true? No one could be amazingly sweet and like me that much at the same time, right? After people disappointed me more than once, I couldn't take any chances. Bosch was an angry man, so that meant he was more spontaneous... At least that's what I hoped.

I grinned broadly, "What are you trying to say?"

Bosch's lips curled into a sweet smile, "I'm trying to say that I love you, Eva."

Although my heart raced multiple times that night, it started beating faster than ever before. My eyes bulged and I was utterly speechless. Deep down, I knew exactly what to answer, but it didn't hit me until that moment.

"It's true. I love you," Dirk blushed and sighed. "I understand if you don't feel the same. We haven't known each other for a long time. I just want you to be happy and..."

There was no way I'd let him finish that sentence. I put my hands on Dirk's face, closed my eyes and kissed him passionately. A flame lighted up in my heart as I pressed my lips against his. Bosch gasped and wrapped his strong arms around my waist, pulling me closer. He kissed me even more fervently, literally taking my breath away. I put my hands around his neck, feeling his warm skin on mine. The entire world disappeared. Time stopped. It was just Dirk and me loving each other as if nothing else mattered.

Dirk slowly opened his eyes once our unforgettable moment ended. We smiled at each other and were both hyperventilating. I was so happy that I couldn't think. My entire body was warm.

"I love you too, Dirk Bosch," my eyes gleamed with joy and I couldn't stop smiling. "I tried to suppress this feeling, but I can't do it anymore."

God, I never thought it would feel so good to say that...

He rubbed his neck and grinned. I don't know how, but I managed to leave Bosch speechless. Even though I tried to stop such a strong feeling from developing, I couldn't hide my love for Dirk anymore. He was my chosen one. God, I hoped no one from my crew was watching that moment... They weren't ready to see me as a woman yet. Of course, they knew I wasn't a man, but I avoided showing I was one to earn respect. It was sad, I know, but true.

Dirk caressed my cheek, "I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"I told you the truth. I fell in love with you in a way I never imagined," I glanced at the sky then back at him. "My future only matters if you're in it."

"I wouldn't even have a future without you," he chuckled nervously. "Honestly, I don't know what I would've done if you said you didn't love me back."

Bosch was adorable, wasn't he? That was one of the main reasons I fell for him. I didn't know why he worried so much about Gálvez before I confessed my love. Although I had a crush on Miguel for a short while, I was sure that Dirk was the one for me. I let out a pronounced sigh while thinking how I'd tell the Spaniard that I didn't choose him. He didn't deserve to have his heart broken, but what else could I do? Damn it! I hated upsetting sweet people... Anyway, I took a deep breath and tried to forget that subject.

I smiled, "We're together now. That's what matters."

Dirk held my hand and I felt as if I was in paradise. I used to believe love made people weak, but everything changed in the blink of an eye. I was feeling stronger than ever. I didn't even remember I'd soon have to fight the Royal Navy. Bosch was all I could think about at that moment. That was one of the best nights of my life.

****

Author's note:

I dedicate this chapter to my awesome friend