Page 18 of Code Name: Tank (K19 Sentinel Cyber #4)

TANK

I woke the next morning with a mix of anticipation and nerves that had nothing to do with the investigation. Today, my family would arrive at Canada Lake, and tonight, Dragon would meet them for the first time.

Standing at my kitchen window with my first cup of coffee, I watched the morning light transform Canada Lake from deep green to silver.

I grinned, thinking about last night on the island when I’d invited Dragon to join us, and how her face had lit up when she said yes. The memory of that conversation—and the kiss that followed—sent heat and desire through my body.

I grabbed my gear and headed out into the crisp air.

After deployments in the desert heat and urban concrete, being based in such a peaceful setting still felt more like a gift than a job.

Even after all the time I’d worked here, I stopped to appreciate this place.

Kane Mountain Great Camp wasn’t just our headquarters—it was a sanctuary.

The main camp’s architecture reminded me of my grandfather’s hunting lodge in Montana, the kind of solid, honest construction that was built to last generations.

And how many people in intelligence could say their command center was in the upper levels of a boathouse?

Dragon was already working when I entered, but she looked up with a smile that made me want to stalk across the room and kiss her senseless.

“Hi,” she said.

“Good morning, beautiful,” I said, then felt my face warm when Alice raised a brow. Dragon’s cheeks flushed pink, but her smile widened.

“Should I leave you two alone, or can we focus on the fact that you have a family arriving today and we need to figure out coverage?” Alice teased. “And, just so you know, Atticus arranged for the three of you to be away from the compound for the holiday.”

“Admiral’s okay with it?” I asked.

“Of course he is, Tank,” Alice said with a smile. “Family time is sacred, especially around holidays. You three just need to keep your phones handy in case something urgent comes up.”

“Ready for the family invasion?” Atticus asked, walking in the command center’s entrance.

I nodded, not ready to admit out loud that I was looking forward to it in a way I never had before. “They land at fifteen hundred, which will put them here sometime around seventeen hundred.”

“We should order a bunch of sandwiches from the Canada Lake Store so Candy isn’t freaking out about dinner.”

I turned to Dragon. “Candy’s my mom, and Atticus has spent several holidays with our family.” Before I talked myself out of saying it, I asked if she wanted to join us tonight instead of waiting until tomorrow.

“I’d love to,” she responded, though I caught a flicker of nervousness in her eyes.

I moved closer to her and leaned down. “Don’t worry. They’re going to love you.”

“And if they don’t?”

The vulnerability in her voice made my chest tight. I wanted to pull her into my arms right there, but settled for resting my hand on the back of her chair.

“Piper, you’re going to fit right in. I’m certain of it.”

Admiral appeared in the doorway. “What are you doing here? I thought your family was due to arrive today.”

“Not until later this afternoon.”

Alice looked up from her screen. “Hey, what about Flint? Should we invite him to join us for Thanksgiving?” she asked Admiral.

“I’ll talk to him and let him make the decision about what he’s comfortable with.”

My eyes met Dragon’s, and in them, I saw the same relief I felt. There was no way I’d invite him to my family’s gathering, but leaving anyone alone on a holiday felt wrong too.

The day passed quickly as Dragon and I wrapped up our most urgent work. I found myself watching the clock, anticipation building as three o’clock approached.

At four-thirty, my mom’s number appeared on the screen.

“Tank, honey, we should be at the lake in a half hour! The mountains are absolutely gorgeous.”

“Sounds good, Mom. How was the flight?”

“Uneventful. Just the way I like them.”

“Glad to hear it. We should be at Cedar Point when you arrive. Dinner is all taken care of.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I hadn’t even thought of that.”

I glanced at Dragon, who was pretending to work but clearly listening. “Can’t wait for you to meet everyone , Mom.”

After I hung up, Dragon was staring at me intently.

“Everyone?” she asked.

I moved closer and leaned in. “She knew what I meant. Sorry if I embarrassed you.”

“Not embarrassed at all.” Her smile was soft and genuine.

Twenty minutes later, Atticus, Dragon, and I were driving toward Cedar Point camp with a cooler full of sandwiches and drinks from the lake store. Dragon sat in the passenger seat, her nervousness showing in the way she kept smoothing her jeans.

“They’re going to love you,” I whispered.

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true.” I reached over, took her hand, and brought it to my lips. “My family has good taste in people.”

“Hey, none of that PDA stuff in front of the kid,” Atticus joked from the back seat.

“You’re a year younger than me.”

“And definitely older than me,” Dragon added.

“I’m just reminding you in case you’ve forgotten there will be three kids arriving soon.”

My eyes met Atticus’ in the rearview mirror.

“On the other hand, your parents and Cam and Carter don’t exactly hold back.”

“Cameron is my sister, and Carter is her husband. They have three kids—Powell, Sophie, and Riley.”

“What should I call your parents?” she asked.

“Mom will insist on Candy. My dad’s name is Bradley, but he goes by General most of the time. At least around the family.”

“General?”

“It’s a thing in our family. I’m Patton, he’s Bradley, then there’s Powell. My grandfather’s first name was Grant.”

She grinned. “That’s kinda cool.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask if she’d mind continuing the tradition with our firstborn. Instead, I bit it.

Cedar Point camp sat on a beautiful point of land jutting into Canada Lake.

The main house was decorated in the traditional Adirondack style and had seven bedrooms—far more than my family needed.

It had large windows offering spectacular water views, and the boathouse, which I hadn’t taken a good look at when Atticus and I came to check the place out, was even bigger than the one at Kane Mountain.

“Here we go,” I said, squeezing Dragon’s hand, when I saw two SUVs pull up and park.

My mom popped out of the first one when we walked out to greet them. Behind her came my dad, tall and graying. My sister and her family were taking longer to exit their vehicle.

“Tank!” My mom practically ran over to hug me.

“Hi, Mom.” I lifted her off her feet briefly, then turned to introduce Dragon. “Everyone, this is Piper. And you all know Atticus.”

Dragon stepped forward, and I could see her steeling herself. “Mr. and Mrs. Abrams, it’s so nice to meet you.”

My mom immediately pulled her into a warm hug. “Oh, honey, call me Candy. And you’re even prettier than Tank described.”

“You described me?” Dragon mouthed in my direction with wide eyes.

“I just told them you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever met. Outside of my mom, of course.”

“Oh, Tank. You’re always so sweet to me, but even when I was her age, I wasn’t as stunning as Piper is.”

I put my arm around Dragon’s waist, hoping she wasn’t already overwhelmed and ready to race back across the lake. When she leaned into me, I wanted to take her in my arms and show her how happy she made me.

Later, I definitely would.

“Bradley Abrams,” my dad said, extending his hand to Dragon, then turning to Atticus. “Good to see you, boy.”

Atticus chuckled. “Thanks for letting me crash the family gathering again.”

“The more, the merrier,” my mom said, already pulling him into a hug too.”

“Uncle Tank!” A blur of energy shot out from the direction of the second SUV—my eight-year-old nephew, Powell, followed closely by six-year-old Sophie.

“Hey, buddy! Hey, Sophie!” I caught Powell in a bear hug, then scooped up Sophie. “You both get taller every time I see you.”

My sister, Cameron, approached next, holding two-year-old Riley, with Carter beside her. “There’s my baby brother. Come give your sister a hug.”

After introductions all around, we led them inside. Carter and my dad immediately started discussing the best fishing spots on the lake while the kids explored their temporary home with the kind of excitement only children could muster.

The camp’s kitchen was spacious and welcoming, and within minutes, my mom had taken charge of setting up the sandwich buffet while peppering Dragon with questions about her work, her background, and her favorite foods.

“So you’re in intelligence too?” my mom asked as she and Dragon arranged sandwiches on platters.

“Yes, communications analysis, mainly,” she replied.

Powell raced in and tugged on Dragon’s sleeve. “Do you like video games? I brought my Switch.”

His face lit up when she said, “I’ve never played, but I’d love to learn.”

“Uh-oh,” Cam said. “You just made a friend for life.”

Sophie, not to be outdone by her brother, tugged on Dragon’s opposite arm. “Do you want to see the dress I brought for Thanksgiving?”

“I would love to see it,” Dragon said, and Sophie beamed.

“Sorry.” I leaned close enough to take in her subtle floral scent that drove me wild.

“Don’t be,” she said, turning her head and kissing my cheek. “I can’t imagine a nicer family.”

As we ate dinner around the large wooden table, I watched Dragon relax more and more.

My family’s easy acceptance was working its magic.

My mom told stories about my childhood that made her laugh, my dad asked thoughtful questions about our work without any specifics, and Powell and Sophie regaled her with elaborate tales about their life in Northern California.

By nine o’clock, everyone was showing signs of travel fatigue. Riley had fallen asleep in her dad’s arms, and Powell was fighting to keep his eyes open.