Chapter 275

The moment Evelyn Sinclair heard those words, any thought of turning back and fleeing vanished instantly.

Being shot in the back while running would be a pitiful way to die.

But if they couldn’t run, what other choice did they have?

The frigid air bit into their skin, thick with the acrid scent of cigarette smoke mingling with the briny stench of the ocean.

The three men stood directly in front of them, blocking any escape.

At this rate, they wouldn’t last much longer. Adrian Blackwood trembled uncontrollably.

Though he was an experienced explorer, he had never faced anything like this before.

Evelyn wasn’t faring much better, but as the pirates drew closer, an eerie calm settled over her.

Two of the men were tall and powerfully built, their muscles straining against their clothes.

The third was shorter and leaner, but his cold, hawk-like eyes were the most terrifying of all.

His gaze locked onto Evelyn with an intensity that made her skin crawl—hungry, predatory.

Even in her disheveled state, her striking beauty and aristocratic features were impossible to hide.

Noticing his leer, Evelyn glared back at him with defiance, her chin lifting slightly.

The shorter man smirked, stepping closer.

Adrian’s breath hitched beside her.

Evelyn’s fingers curled into fists, her pulse steady despite the danger.

She wouldn’t go down without a fight.

The man's lips curled into a mocking sneer.

His icy gaze gleamed with predatory intent. A low whistle escaped his lips as he raked his eyes over her with vulgar appreciation.

The cold metal of the gun pressed beneath her chin, forcing her head up.

He looked at her like a conqueror surveying his spoils.

His laughter, shared with his companions, dripped with cruelty and greed. "Look at this one—quite the prize."

"We hit the jackpot this time!" The men behind him roared with unrestrained arrogance.

Their stares slithered over Evelyn's skin like the tongues of vipers.

This was their domain, and she was nothing but prey. The pirates aboard the distant ship watched the scene unfold with twisted amusement.

Tension crackled in the air.

Escape was impossible—everyone knew it.

Evelyn's body tensed, but her mind sharpened.

The biting sea wind lashed at her face.

It stung, but it cleared her thoughts, honing her focus.

Her fists clenched so tightly her nails drew blood, but she barely noticed.

The acrid scent of gunpowder clung to the weapon pressed against her—a silent promise of death.

As the pirates exchanged smirks, Evelyn struck.

Her hand shot out, seizing the gun.

In one fluid motion, she twisted, yanking it forward with brutal force.

Her other hand pried at the man's fingers, wrenching them away. A choked grunt escaped him as he staggered back, shock flashing across his face.

This delicate-looking woman dared to fight back?

Evelyn didn't give him a chance to recover.

Before he could react, the gun was in her grip.

She flipped it, barrel now trained on the pirates.

A sharp kick sent the man crashing to his knees before her.

The others' laughter died instantly. Their expressions darkened with fury.

Two guns swung toward her, but Evelyn's aim never wavered—her weapon pressed against the pirate's temple.

The tables had turned.

The smug predators now stood frozen, tension coiling around them.

Evelyn's smile was glacial.

They weren't lambs to slaughter. And these pirates weren't invincible.

Nathan's eyes widened at the sudden shift. Without hesitation, he moved to her side, pinning the man down.

Evelyn gave him a brief, approving glance.

Across from them, the pirates erupted into curses.

"You stupid bitch!" one snarled. "You think this is a game? These guns aren't toys!"

Evelyn's grip tightened.

She struck the pirate's head with the gun's butt, silencing him.

"I want a helicopter."

"Like hell!" another spat. "You're dead the second you let him go!"

She hadn't expected them to agree.

But she had leverage now—and fear no longer clouded her mind.

A sharp shout rang out toward the ship.

Within moments, reinforcements swarmed the deck.

Dozens of muzzles locked onto Evelyn.

The air thickened with the promise of violence.