My distress increased while I observed White Shark being consumed by the fire. More pieces of the ship fell into the ocean as time went by. That couldn't be the end of Dirk Bosch. After everything we'd been through together, there was no way I'd lose him. He didn't deserve to suffer like that. My uncle told me once that burning to death was one of the worst ways to die. God, my head hurt just with the thought of Bosch going through something like that... At that moment, I didn't even care if I'd win the battle. Even though saving Dirk's life could ruin everything, I wouldn't stop until he was safe and sound. If I could, I would've saved every pirate in danger that day. If there's one thing I hated was seeing lives being lost. Watching my allies die was torture. Dirk was the man I loved, so his death would break me. My hands trembled as I imagined the worst. I took a deep breath since I wouldn't let my pessimism blind me. Bosch wouldn't be taken from me. No way.

"Listen up, mates!" I looked at my crew and tried to hide my desperation. "Do the same you just did with the ship we pulled closer a while ago."

I explained again what they had to do. My people appeared to understand and followed my orders, throwing the grappling hooks into the White Shark's rigging and onto its gunwales. My heartbeat stabilized as they pulled Dirk's vessel closer. I was lucky that my crew had a good memory because I forgot things often.

Be alive, please...

Francis whined, seemingly feeling my agony. I took a deep breath as I got closer to the burning vessel. Many people from White Shark were diving into the ocean. Bosch's eyes bulged as he glanced at the fire. I sighed in relief because he wasn't injured.

"Look at me, Dirk! You're safe now," I smiled sweetly at him. "Jump!"

Dirk ground his teeth and looked at the flames again. He appeared to be afraid. I wanted to caress him at that moment, but we weren't close enough. I raised and pulled my brows together as the fire spread through his vessel.

"Come on!" my eyes widened. "Get out of your ship before it bursts into flames!"

Bosch took a deep breath and jumped into Ocean Storm. I sighed in relief, glad that my man wasn't in danger anymore. I would've freaked out if I hadn't saved Dirk... God, I couldn't even think about it.

I ran to the quarterdeck, "Ashton, turn starboard before that vessel crashes into ours!"

He nodded and I went to the forecastle deck. My back was flooded with sweat since I had to be very fast. Francis followed me as always and barked, appearing to be afraid.

I turned to my cousin, "We have to increase our speed and then decrease it fast. You know what to do."

She nodded and started climbing the shrouds, "Right away, Captain!"

I took several deep breaths as I returned to the main deck. My dog ran to Dirk and licked his legs. The redhead laughed and caressed his head. Francis then did the same to Miguel and my uncle. More explosions took place, but I didn't get as affected. Dirk was alive and that's what mattered the most at that moment. I hugged him while squeezing my eyes shut. He returned the gesture and I couldn't help but smile.

"I can't believe you saved me for the third time," Dirk gazed downward and then back at me. "I don't have enough words to thank you."

"I know a good way for you to thank me," I kissed his cheek, "and it doesn't require words."

Dirk gawked and blushed. I grinned mischievously, making his cheeks get even redder. He smiled and glanced at me as if he imagined something. I won't lie, I imagined a few things myself... Yeah, Bosch and I hadn't done anything other than kiss on the previous night, but we'd definitely do more if both of us survived that crazy battle.

At that exact instant, multiple explosions took place. My eyes bulged and I almost screamed. Bosch bit his lower lip, apparently worried. More ally vessels were in flames.

I frowned, "What's going on?"

"The British keep sinking our ships and we're doing the same with theirs," Laurens sighed. "Nothing new."

Maartje clenched her jaw, "I think we'll soon face a more direct conflict. It's just a matter of time until the crew of an enemy ship boards Ocean Storm."

Francis whined and recoiled as more cannons fired. Most of my crew was still standing and shooting our enemies, but I knew my cousin was right. The two approaching men-of-war made it even more apparent that she had a point. I went downstairs to the gun deck. My ears almost exploded as I heard the cannons firing.

"Listen up! We have vessels approaching from both sides," I gazed at my gunners and their master. "Fire all cannons at the same time once you see the enemy ships' bowsprits. Was I clear?"

"Yes, Captain Storm!" a large group of men shouted in unison.

I smiled, "Good! Let's show these morons that they messed with the wrong crew!"

The gunners cheered. Some of them yelled "Yeah!" while others said "Yes!". I returned to the main deck, breathing fast as I thought of my possible defeat. The men-of-war got closer. I approached the British ship on starboard, aiming my blunderbuss at the crew. Firing the pistol multiple times, I took down several enemies. I did the same on the port side right after.

Laurens shot some British men as well, "God, these guys are worse than cockroaches!"

"I have to agree," I laughed nervously. "Even Johannes is less annoying than the Royal Navy."

Both enemy vessels were taken down by our cannons. Laurens, the crew, and I cheered in celebration. Two in a row? That wasn't easy, but I proved it to be possible! We sailed faster, escaping the danger zone as the vessels crashed. Francis ran around us, seemingly excited as well.

Maartje smiled widely, "I have a good feeling. I think we're going to defeat them!"

Dirk nodded, appearing to be proud of me. Uncle Ruben gazed at the enemy vessels while biting his lower lip, seemingly not confident. Miguel grinned at me and I smiled, feeling powerful for a moment. We were unstoppable... well, not quite.

When I thought everything would be fine, Ocean Storm pitched violently. I fell and crashed against the mainmast. I winced as the wood struck my back. Bosch and Gálvez ran to me. Both were breathing fast and I was in so much pain... Stupid mast! That was the worst time possible to get hurt!

"Let me help you get up!" Miguel and Dirk said to me at the same time.

The two men glared at each other for a moment. When Bosch narrowed his eyes intensively at the Spaniard, I thought the latter would turn into stone. Miguel then raised his brows and shot Dirk a defiant gaze. I put a hand on my mouth to hide my laugh... Don't judge me! You know that was funny. Besides, what woman wouldn't be happy to have two cute guys liking her? Well, the answer's obvious: none!

"Thank you, but I can do this," I leaned on the mainmast and slowly stood up on my own. "Also, try not to kill each other, boys."

Gálvez nodded and chuckled, but Bosch didn't even move. At that instant, I noticed a burning smell that made my nausea more intense. I followed it and gawked. A cannonball had made a massive hole on the port side of my vessel... It wasn't enough to make it sink, but definitely worrying. Another blast happened and tore the fore-topsail.

Why is this happening? Is life making fun of me?

"Maartje, change the fore-topsail!" I turned to my navigator. "Turn starboard, Ashton. Take us away from them!"

I breathed fast as the British got closer. Our cannons weren't holding them back. When I looked through my spyglass, I gaped. There wasn't a single pirate ship standing. All had sunk or were in flames. The same was true about the Navy vessels, which meant that the end of the battle approached. Only Ocean Storm and a man-of-war hadn't sunk.

I approached my carpenter, "Kenneth, try to put out the fire and fix what you can of the damage!"

"Right away!" he answered, running to get his tools.

Before I could do anything, our enemies pulled Ocean Storm closer with their grappling hooks. My crew shot them, trying to stop it from happening, but they were too fast. Laurens took a step forward as if he felt the conflict coming. Once the Navy men were really close, they invaded our ship while yelling and shooting. I ran to Dirk, Miguel and my uncle.

I let out a pronounced sigh, "I know you three don't take orders from me, but I'd greatly appreciate it if you helped me to defeat the evil guys."

Uncle Ruben took a deep breath, "I'll gladly destroy these bastards with you."

"You don't have to ask me twice," Gálvez grinned and reached for his cutlass. "I'll give them hell!"

Bosch glared at the invaders, "Let's kick some British ass!"

After that, the real fighting began. My crew fought fiercely against our enemies. Miguel showed excellent sword fighting skills as he took down three men instantly. Dirk also fought really well. With my cutlass, I struck a blow at a Navy guy's waist, making him flinch. Our swords collided. I bared my teeth, pushing his blade away with all my strength. My strategy worked and I slit his throat. The man fell while bleeding insanely. I bit my lower lip and moved away.

Two men came to me. I ran to them and did something I'd never done before: I stabbed one in the stomach with my cutlass and sliced the other man's waist with my second blade. Yes, I still had the stolen sword from Dirk.

I breathed heavily with my eyes widened, "Yeah, that was really crazy..."

Unfortunately, the man with a big injury on the waist continued attacking me. Our blades clashed three times as we fought. He grabbed me by the neck and I felt the air escaping my throat. Francis bit the man's legs twice, making him squeeze me much less. The guy yelled, so I elbowed him and ran. I took advantage of his vulnerability, punched him in the face and stabbed him in the chest. The man crashed against the wooden floor.

I smiled at my dog, "I owe you one, Francis."

Another enemy came. Francis growled in anger. He used a larger blade, so I quickly kept my cutlass and grabbed my broadsword. The guy aimed for my neck. I dodged and wounded his shoulder. Although the man flinched, he kept attempting to kill me. I kicked him between the legs and stabbed his left thigh. Francis bit the man's ankles and he fell to his knees. I struck my clenched fist against his face twice, making him crash against the floor.

"I taught you well," uncle Ruben said as he killed his opponent. "You've got great fighting skills, Eva."

I chuckled, "I'm even better when I'm sober."

Uncle Ruben frowned and tilted his head to the side. I couldn't help but laugh loudly. His reaction was exactly how I'd imagined.

I gave my uncle a pat on the back, "I'm kidding... mostly."

He laughed and started fighting another man. A new opponent ran towards me. I kept my broadsword and grabbed my cutlass. God, it was so annoying to change weapons sometimes... I breathed fast, fearing that I wouldn't be fast enough to stop the British man from killing me.

"You're an angry guy, aren't you?" I bit my lower lip as I gazed at my opponent. "Why don't we calm down and make a deal?"

I knew my enemy wasn't likely to accept my offer, but I had to at least try. Unfortunately, the man completely ignored me and I took a step back as he quickly approached... Yeah, Navy officers weren't exactly fond of collaborating with pirates. When the guy was about to attack, Miguel got in front of me. I couldn't help but gawk. The British guy sliced Gálvez's waist, spilling blood and causing the latter to wince. The man would've stabbed me in the stomach if the Spaniard hadn't shown up. I put a hand on my mouth and scowled... I couldn't believe the bastard had hurt Miguel! I hated it when someone injured my friends. El Dorado dodged from an attack and quickly plunged his broadsword through my enemy's body. With a massive wound on his stomach, the British man fell to the ground.

"Maldito..." Gálvez narrowed his eyes at my attacker. "That's what happens when you try to hurt Eva!"

My eyes bulged, "What have you done, Miguel?! You could've died!"

"I couldn't let him harm you," he sighed and took a step closer. "You mean a lot to me, Storm. More than you could ever imagine."

Miguel indeed cares about me... Now I feel even worse for breaking his heart.

Although I hated to admit it, I smiled and felt my cheeks getting red. Yes, I'd chosen Dirk, but Miguel still gave me that weird feeling sometimes. Besides, I liked it when people protected me even though I didn't need it... well, at least most of the time. I gulped once I remembered I'd have to tell Gálvez I loved Bosch... Should I do that? Maybe not. The Spaniard probably figured everything out after I said we were friends anyway... God, I hated hurting nice people!

"You're really awesome. Thank you for saving me," I knit my brows while gazing at Gálvez's waist injury. "By the way, you should ask Kenneth to take care of that wound. It looks bad."

Miguel wiped the blood off his torn coat, "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

I nodded and Gálvez kept looking at me as if he wanted to say something else. At that exact moment, a British man started fighting him. When I was about to help Miguel, another enemy went towards me. My new opponent fought even faster than the previous one, trying to hurt me everywhere he could. I blocked almost all of his blows. The man left an injury on my right thigh. It burned and the blood ran down my leg. Francis approached my enemy while growling in anger, but the poor dog got kicked. He whined after hitting his back against the floor.

I bared my teeth, "No one messes with my dog!"

When the guy tried to hurt my waist, I blocked him and punched him in the gut. He collided against the floor while flinching. The man tried to injure my leg as he got up, but I dodged and sliced his neck. He soon fell on the ground.

I caressed Francis while he licked my hand, "We're safe now, buddy."

"Not exactly," a familiar voice said from behind.

I gulped once I saw Admiral Campbell. He pointed a pistol at me while pursing his lips. I took a step backwards, wondering what I should do to escape that. When the man grinned, I knew it was the end. Dirk froze as he looked at the British man.

Campbell glared at me, "Goodbye, Storm."

Bosch scowled and ran, "Stay away from her!"

My eyes bulged. Dirk grabbed his blunderbuss and jumped in front of me. Bosch and the admiral fired their guns at the same time. Dirk shot Campbell twice on the chest. Breathing less at each second, the British officer fell to his face. Bosch crashed on the floor and winced. Blood dripped from the bullet wound on his left shoulder. My chin trembled as I knelt down by Dirk's side. I gaped, not believing he'd just taken a shot for me.

Am I dreaming, or two guys put themselves in danger to save me today?

I hyperventilated and pressed his injury, "Are you crazy?"

"Yes," Dirk smiled sweetly as he trembled. "Crazy about you."

"Stay with me, Dirk!" I cried as his blood ran between my fingers. "Keep your eyes open and breathe!"

Dirk struggled to stop his eyes from closing. Beads of sweat ran down his face as he pulled the air fast through his mouth. More blood came out of his injury. I sobbed and looked from one side to the other, desperate. I sighed in relief once I saw Laurens and Maartje. I shouted, "Help me!" so loud that both gawked once they turned to me.

"Laurens, take Bosch to Kenneth's room! Fast!" I ground my teeth. "Maartje, find Kenneth now and tell him to run to his room!"

"Aye, Captain!" Laurens quickly approached us and lifted Dirk. "You'll be fine, Bosch."

Dirk moved away, "Thank you, but I can get up."

Bosch winced and touched his wound as he stood up. He was pale and could barely keep his eyes open. I swallowed hard, wondering if he'd be able to continue moving. The redhead breathed with difficulties.

"So much pain... I can't..." Dirk whispered, apparently feeling pain at each step he took.

The redhead gazed upward, seeming to be dizzy. Laurens quickly held Dirk from behind, stopping the latter from falling on the floor. My quartermaster grimaced as he lifted Bosch. Laurens carried Dirk towards the stairs.

"He's going to die!" my eyes widened as I looked at my friends. "You two need to be very fast!"

My cousin nodded, "I'll call Kenneth!"

Maartje ran to the damaged spot of Ocean Storm and called Kenneth, who quickly carried Dirk downstairs. I knit my brows, feeling broken inside for what had happened. What if Kenneth wasn't fast enough to save Dirk? More tears flowed as I thought of the worst possible scenario. Also, I bit my lower lip while observing Miguel. How long would he be able to fight? His waist injury wouldn't stop bleeding! I almost passed out just by looking at it... Gálvez had to get help soon. I didn't want to lose anyone I cared about.

"You never learn, do you?" a familiar voice said from behind. "Why don't you just surrender?"

I took a deep breath. My eyes bulged once I laid eyes on the traitor. Sven laughed cruelly while getting closer. I reached for my cutlass and huffed, still not believing I'd have to fight someone who once was my friend. Francis growled and barked.

I smirked, "Because it's always fun to defeat you in a fight."

"That's interesting," the idiot chuckled and grabbed his cutlass. "You just forgot that the British gave me some extra sword fighting lessons."

"I'm trembling in fear!" I mocked Sven as I put a hand on my chest and knit my brows. "If someone could only save me from your rage..."

Who am I kidding? Of course, I'm afraid!

Sven bared his teeth, "Go to hell!"

I glared at him, "I will, but only to take you there!"

At that exact instant, we attacked each other. Our swords clashed louder than ever before. I wondered what my brother was doing at that moment... well, probably hiding since he was a coward. I couldn't stop sweating as I kept fighting my friend turned enemy. The worst part of that duel was the emotions involved. My heart shattered more each time Sven struck a blow against me. Although it'd been a while since he'd revealed his betrayal, a part of me still couldn't accept it.

****

I dedicate this chapter to the awesome