Page 19 of Code Name: Tank (K19 Sentinel Cyber #4)

“We should head back,” I said. “Let everyone get some rest. But we’ll be back tomorrow morning to help with Thanksgiving prep.”

“All three of us,” Atticus added.

“You’d better be,” my mom said, pointing a finger at me. “I didn’t fly all the way across the country to cook Thanksgiving dinner by myself.”

As we said our goodbyes, my mom pulled Dragon aside. I couldn’t hear what she said, but I saw Dragon nod and smile, then hug my mom tightly.

She was quiet in the car, driving back to the compound.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“Your family is wonderful,” she said. “Your mom told me she’s going to teach me how to make her famous pumpkin pie tomorrow.”

“That’s a big honor,” Atticus said from the backseat. “Tank’s been trying to get that recipe for years.”

“She’s never taught it to anyone outside the family,” I added.

Dragon turned to look at me. “You’re joking.”

“My mom takes her recipes very seriously.” I winked.

I parked closer to Whisper Point than Granite Ridge, and after Atticus said good night, I walked Piper to her door.

“Would you like to come in?” she asked.

“More than anything. However…”

She raised a brow.

“If I do, I won’t want to leave, and I don’t think either of us is ready for that yet.”

She nodded. “Thanks for a wonderful evening, Tank.” When she leaned up to kiss my cheek, I turned my head so our lips met instead.

Our tongues wound around each other as I put my hand on her lower back and pulled her body flush with mine.

“Tank,” she whispered against my neck as my hardness pressed against her.

“One more kiss, and I’ll go.”

As difficult as it was to stop, I kept my promise. “Sweet dreams,” I said like I had last night.

“You too.” She wiggled her fingers in a wave.

As I walked away, I glanced in the direction of Hemlock Grove. While he moved away from the window quickly, it wasn’t fast enough for me not to see Flint watching us.

The next morning, Dragon, Atticus, and I returned to Cedar Point early, armed with coffee and pastries from the folks at the Canada Lake Store, who’d reminded us they were closing at noon as we were leaving.

By the time we reached the camp, my family was already up and moving, my mom directing the Thanksgiving preparations like a general commanding her troops.

“Perfect timing,” she said when she saw us. “Piper, ready for your pie lesson?”

For the next few hours, I watched Dragon become part of my family. She helped my mom in the kitchen, listened to my dad’s stories about his Navy days, played endless games with Powell and Sophie, and she even managed to get Riley to giggle by making funny faces.

“She’s great,” Cam said, appearing beside me as we watched Dragon show Powell how to fold napkins properly.

“Yeah, she is.”

“You love her.” It wasn’t a question.

I should’ve hesitated, but I didn’t. “Yeah, I do.”

“Good. She loves you too, by the way. It’s written all over her face when she looks at you.”

Thanksgiving dinner was everything I’d hoped it would be.

My mom had outdone herself with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and three different pies.

But the best part was watching how at ease Dragon seemed.

Gone was any nervousness she had prior to last night.

She sat between my mom and me, laughing at my dad’s jokes, and looking like she’d been part of our family forever.

“What are you thankful for, Piper?” my mom asked when we went around the table sharing gratitudes.

Dragon turned to me and took my hand under the table. “I’m thankful for this family welcoming me, and for learning that, sometimes, the best things happen when you least expect them.”

My mom wiped away a tear. “Oh, honey. I just love that.”

That evening, after dinner was cleaned up and everyone had settled in the living room, Dragon and I walked down to the dock.

“Thank you,” she said, leaning against me. “For sharing your family with me.”

“Thank you for letting me,” I replied, wrapping my arms around her. “You fit right in.”

“I’ve never been around a big family. I loved it.”

“Now, you’re part of one. And, Piper?”

“Yeah?”

“This is just the beginning.”

Friday morning’s goodbyes were harder than I’d expected.

“You have to come visit us,” my mom told Dragon, holding her hands. “I mean it. You’re family now.”

“I’d love that,” Dragon said, her voice steady and warm.

After they left for the airport, Dragon and I returned to the Cedar Point’s dock, wanting a few more minutes of “vacation” that really wasn’t one but felt like it had been.

“No regrets?” I asked.

“None. Your family is amazing.”

“We should get back to the compound. Hartwell will be here before you know it.”

Her eyes opened wide. “God, I forgot he was coming. That isn’t like me.”

“Can I ask you something?”

She studied me. “Of course.”

“What’s the deal between the two of you?”

“He and my dad were friends for years. When Flint left me to face the fallout of Prague alone, James stepped in to support me. He even recommended Doc and Merrigan hire me when it was all over.”

“Wow,” I said under my breath. “That actually makes me like the guy.”

She chuckled and rested her head on my shoulder. “There haven’t been many times in my life when I didn’t want to get back to work. It always felt safer, I guess. Or more comfortable.”

“And now?”

She looked over her shoulder at the camp. “This place feels like heaven, and I never want to leave.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever said anything like that, either.”

As we drove around the lake to the compound, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the peaceful bubble we’d been living in for the last couple of days was about to burst, and I had no idea what we’d be facing when it did.