Chapter 276

The standoff shifted in a heartbeat.

Storm clouds loomed over the Pacifica Ocean, its surface deceptively calm despite the brewing tempest.

A silent warning of the violence about to erupt.

The air between them crackled with tension, thick enough to choke on. One wrong move would ignite bloodshed.

These were hardened mercenaries who killed without hesitation.

Evelyn Sinclair was just a castaway. Yet her grip on the pistol remained steady, her aim unwavering.

She pressed the barrel harder against the pirate's temple beneath her boot, ensuring his compliance.

Her piercing gaze met the dozens of weapons trained on her without flinching.

Adrian Blackwood's face drained of color. His knees buckled, sending him collapsing onto the wet sand.

Evelyn shot him a sideways glance, whispering words the pirates couldn't catch. "Stay calm. Get behind me. When you hear gunfire, run for the jungle. Don't look back."

The explorer froze. He'd faced nature's wrath countless times - starvation, dehydration, hostile tribes.

Falling cliffs. Pirate attacks. Nothing had prepared him for this bone-deep terror.

Death's icy fingers traced his spine, turning his blood to sludge in his veins.

Yet this delicate-looking woman spoke of escape plans as casually as discussing tea.

Adrian clenched his jaw and forced himself upright, the panic in his eyes hardening to resolve.

"I made a promise to protect you." His voice barely shook. "I'm not leaving."

Before Evelyn could argue, the lead pirate barked a command.

"Enough talking! Fire!"

Her stomach dropped.

This hostage meant nothing to them. She saw it in their trigger fingers twitching with bloodlust.

Then - movement to her left. A jagged rock formation twenty yards away. Possible cover.

Her odds? Abysmal. Limited ammo against a small army.

"Wait!" She projected her voice over the cocking rifles. "Let's negotiate."

The scar-faced pirate sneered. "Negotiate? With what?"

"The treasure map in my bag." She lied smoothly. "Ancient Aztec gold. Enough to buy your freedom ten times over."

The pirate leader spat. "What makes you think you're worth bargaining with?"

The moment the pinned pirate twisted free, chaos erupted.

Evelyn sidestepped his wild swing and shoved Adrian toward the rocks.

"Kill them both!" The wiry pirate screeched.

Gunfire exploded like thunder.

Evelyn dove behind cover as bullets shredded the air where she'd stood. Hot lead pinged off stone, sending razor-sharp fragments flying.

Her pulse hammered in her throat, but her hands stayed steady. This wasn't over yet.