The Hydra Protocol Read Online Free

relationship. As soon as he’d thought of it, a proposal had seemed like a great idea. There was no hesitation in him, no doubt. He was ready to spend the rest of his life with Julia. Why not formalize it?
    “It may be too early for congratulations,” the Asian woman said. Her eyes searched his for a moment though he couldn’t figure out why. “But all the same. How wonderful.”
    “Wonderful? It’s awesome! Oh my God, Donny, can I be your date at the wedding?” Shelly asked.
    “Hold on,” Chapel said, laughing. “Nothing’s official yet, I still—”
    He stopped because he’d seen something out of the corner of his eye. He made a point of not turning to actually look but, yes, it was there. Up in the wheelhouse of the yacht, high over the deck, someone had switched on a blue light.
    “I was serious about that best man thing, if you want me,” Donny said. “I know you’ve probably got someone else in mind, but let me just point out—if you go with me, your bachelor party is going to be sick. And I mean epic. I will get every stripper in South Florida together and they will march in a parade in your honor, Jam Master Jim. You know nobody throws a party like me—”
    “Uh, sorry,” Chapel said. Up in the wheelhouse the blue light switched off. He heard a chain rattle somewhere up in the bows and knew the yacht had dropped its anchor. “Listen, I—”
    “Most guys would go with a limo to take you to and from this bachelor party,” Donny went on. “I’m thinking helicopters. Multiple helos.”
    “I, uh,” Chapel said. He hadn’t expected this to come so soon. “Talking about this,” he said. “It’s making me a little queasy.”
    “Try this,” the surfer with the guitar said, and he tried to pass Chapel his joint. “It’s good for seasickness.”
    “I think what our new friend is trying to say is that he’s getting an attack of cold feet,” the Asian woman said. “Perhaps he should go lie down in his cabin.”
    He wanted to thank her for that—it was the perfect out—but he was too busy doing his best impression of someone about to throw up. “I’d better get out of this boat,” he said.
    Donny helped him climb back down onto the deck. “You okay?” he asked, suddenly serious.
    “Fine,” Chapel told him. “I just need to lie down for a second.” He patted one of Donny’s giant biceps in thanks and then headed forward, making sure to stagger a little. Behind him he heard some of the girls laughing, probably making fun of the poor guy who’d had too much to drink or who maybe was a little too afraid of commitment.
    As soon as he was out of their sight, Chapel dropped the act and hurried down a ladder to the cabins in the next deck down. He passed by a few partially opened doors, beyond which revelers had broken down into smaller more private parties, then found his own cabin. The door was still locked. Good—he’d worried that some couple in need of a bed would stumble into his cabin uninvited. That would have been a problem, since all his gear was in there.
    His bag was still sitting on his bed where he’d left it. He made sure the door was locked, then took off his clothes. He unzipped the bag and pulled out the drysuit and his other gear.
    The blue light had been a signal meant just for him. It was time to get to work.
OFF CAY SAL BANK: JUNE 10, 21:43
    The first thing Chapel did was put on a hands-free radio headset. He switched it on and whispered, “Angel? Are you receiving me?”
    The voice that answered him was sexy and warm, and like every time he heard it he felt his stomach do a little flip. “I’ve got you, sugar. Are you all geared up?”
    “Putting on my drysuit now,” he told her. Angel was his operator, his direct connection to his boss and any information he might need to complete his mission. She had saved his life more times than he liked to think about—certainly more times than he could ever thank her for. He had never met her in person, though,