Page 31 of Code Name: Tank (K19 Sentinel Cyber #4)

DRAGON

T he scent of woodsmoke and pine made the camp feel cozy as I looked out the window at the falling snow.

Tank arranged kindling in Cedar Point’s massive stone fireplace, making me realize how much I loved it here and would miss it once the holidays were over and his family returned to the West Coast.

I’d never felt more at home anywhere than I did here. Granted, it was a three-story camp with a spectacular view of Canada Lake. The boathouse was equally impressive. Not that I’d been in it to do more than glance around.

Enough time had passed since my surgery that I was finally beginning to feel like myself again—the chest tube was long gone, the worst of the pain had faded to manageable soreness, and my energy was slowly returning. What hadn’t changed was Tank’s unwavering presence beside me.

“Will we bother you?” Cameron said from behind me. “The kids and I are going to make some last-minute cookies for Santa since someone ate all the ones we had earlier.”

I glanced over my shoulder. “Of course not.”

“Yeah, Powell ate all of them,” said Sophie.

“Did not,” Powell argued.

Cam ruffled his hair. “That’s enough. We all know Dad is the one who left nothing but crumbs for poor Santa.”

I chuckled, loving how the camp buzzed with the kind of warm family energy I’d never experienced growing up.

“There,” Tank said, settling back on his heels as orange light danced across the room. “That should last until Santa gets here.”

“But then he’ll get burned!” Sophie shouted.

Tank shook his head. “Nope, he magically puts it out when he comes down the chimney.”

“Nice save,” I said under my breath.

“I’m gonna have to get better at that once we have little ones of our own.”

My eyes flared. “Of our own?”

“I guess we need to talk about that.” He glanced over his shoulder at his sister and two of her kids like I had. He winked. “Later.”

“Cam, I need your help with something. The kids too,” Tank’s mother shouted from upstairs.

“But we’re in the middle of?—”

“ Now , Cameron.”

Tank shook his head. “My sister knows better when our mother uses that tone of voice.”

I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder when he settled beside me.

I was curled on the couch, wearing flannel pajama bottoms and one of his sweaters, a soft throw draped over my legs.

The Christmas tree in the corner sparkled with lights, presents piled beneath it for tomorrow’s celebration.

The simple domesticity of the scene should have felt ordinary, but instead, it felt magical.

Soon, we’d say good night, knowing that Powell and Sophie would be up at the crack of dawn.

Cam had apologized in advance, but I told her that nothing would make me happier than watching them tear into their presents, squealing with joy, no matter what time it was.

“Tank, can we talk?”

His gaze immediately sharpened with concern. “Are you okay? Is the pain getting to you?”

“No, I’m fine.” I raised my head and shifted to face him more fully. “I’m great, actually. I’ve been thinking about what comes next. For us. Your mention of children makes me think you have been too.”

His expression grew serious. “Only if you are.”

I took his hand in both of mine, studying the calluses on his palms and the strength in his fingers.

“When we were in the helicopter, when I thought I might not make it…”

“Piper—”

“Let me finish,” I said softly. “I spent three years building walls, convincing myself that independence was the same thing as strength. But this past month, letting you take care of me, watching you with your family and how they’ve embraced me—it’s shown me something important.”

His thumb traced across my knuckles. “What’s that?”

“That love isn’t about losing yourself in someone else.

It’s about becoming the best version of yourself because someone believes in you.

” I met his gaze, seeing my own emotions reflected there.

“You make me better, Tank. Braver. More willing to take risks, because I know you’ll be there to catch me if I fall. ”

“You do the same for me, darlin’. This past month, taking care of you, watching you heal, seeing you with my family—it’s made me realize something too.”

“What?”

He shifted closer, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek.

“I don’t want this to be temporary. I don’t want to go back to separate camps when you’re fully recovered, pretend that sharing this space with you is just about making sure you’re safe.

” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I want forever, Piper. I want to wake up next to you every morning for as long as we both live.”

My pulse quickened. “Tank?—”

“I know it’s been a whirlwind,” he continued, his words tumbling out as if he couldn’t hold them back any longer.

“I know most of our time together has been spent working or during your recovery. But when I thought I might lose you, when I saw you bleeding in my arms—” He stopped, his jaw working as he struggled with emotion.

“I realized that what I feel for you isn’t about timing or circumstances.

I’ve been in love with you since the day you walked into that command center. ”

“You don’t have to convince me, Tank. I love you too.”

“I know,” he said, standing. “There’s something I need to do.”

My heart began to race as he walked to the Christmas tree and retrieved a small wrapped box from behind it. When he returned, he dropped to one knee beside the couch, the firelight dancing across his face.

“Piper Drago,” he said, his voice steady despite the emotion in his eyes, “you are the strongest, most brilliant, most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. You’ve survived betrayal, rebuilt your career, and found the courage to love again despite every reason not to.”

He opened the small velvet box, revealing a ring that caught the firelight and threw it back in brilliant sparkles. The center stone was an emerald surrounded by diamonds, elegant and timeless.

“Will you marry me, darlin’? Will you let me love you always, in sickness and health, through whatever missions and adventures life brings us?”

“Yes,” I whispered, then louder, “Yes, Tank. Yes, to all of it.”

His smile was radiant as he slipped the ring onto my finger, and when we kissed, it was soft and sweet and full of promise.

He rested his head against mine. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said back.

“Did she say yes? Can we come down now?” Candy shouted.

“Yes to both, Mom,” said Tank. Seconds later, it sounded like a herd of moose racing down the stairs as Tank’s whole family hurried over to congratulate and hug us.

“Easy,” said Tank’s dad when two-year-old Riley tried to crawl onto my lap.

“She’s okay,” I said, shifting her so she rested against my right side instead of the left. I held up my hand to show her the ring.

“ Pwetty ,” she said, smiling, then resting her head on my shoulder.

After everyone else went to bed, Tank and I stayed up talking, discussing our future, our dreams, and the life we wanted to build together. When we finally went to bed, I fell asleep with Tank’s arms around me, the weight of the ring on my finger, and joy in my heart.

Christmas morning dawned bright and clear, and the world outside was a winter wonderland. I woke to the sound of excited children’s voices running down the stairs and Tank’s lips pressing gentle kisses to my shoulder.

“Merry Christmas, fiancée,” he murmured.

“Merry Christmas, fiancé,” I replied, turning in his arms to kiss him properly. “We better get out there, though. I don’t want to miss a minute of watching your nieces and nephew opening gifts.”

“Soon to be yours too,” he said, helping me out of bed, not that I needed him to, but I loved it when he did.

Tank dressed quickly while I put on a robe. We went out to the living room and found Powell and Sophie bouncing with excitement near the Christmas tree, while Riley toddled around in festive-looking pajamas. Candy was already in the kitchen, the scent of cinnamon rolls and coffee filling the air.

“Merry Christmas!” Powell shouted when he saw us. “Can we open presents now? Please?”

“After breakfast, buddy,” Tank said, ruffling his nephew’s hair.

“But, Uncle Tank—” Sophie started, then stopped, her eyes widening as she noticed my left hand. “Aunt Piper!” She ran over to hug me. “Can I see your ring again?”

“Of course,” I said, holding my hand out.

“Who cares about rings?” muttered Powell. “I want to open presents.”

Candy walked over to the stairs. “General! Cameron! Carter! Come on. It’s Christmas morning,” she called up.

“Coming, dear,” said Bradley, who we all called General more often than not. Even to the kids, he was General Grandpa.

We were in the middle of breakfast when a knock at the front door interrupted our celebration. Tank frowned, checking his watch.

“Expecting someone?” Carter asked.

“No,” Tank replied, standing. “I’ll get it.”

He returned a few moments later with a woman I hadn’t expected to see today—my mother.

“Mom?” I gasped, jumping up so quickly I nearly knocked over my chair.

“Hello, sweetheart,” she said, her voice tentative. “I hope I’m not intruding. Candy called and invited me.”

The room fell silent as I stared at her, processing her unexpected arrival. She looked older than when I’d last seen her a few months ago, and there was something different about her demeanor—a vulnerability that hadn’t been there before.

“Of course you’re not intruding,” Tank said smoothly, stepping forward. “I’m sorry. What should I call you?”

“Tamara is fine,” she said before our eyes met again.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Mom. Where’s?—”

“We’re celebrating,” Powell shouted over me. “Uncle Tank and Aunt Piper are getting married!”

Mom’s eyes widened as she looked at my left hand.

“Oh, Piper. It’s beautiful.” Her voice caught. “I’m so happy for you both.”

After greeting her, Candy immediately sprang into action, setting another place at the table.

As the morning progressed, Tank’s family worked their magic on my mother just as they had on me. Candy drew her into conversations, Bradley asked thoughtful questions about her flight, and the children charmed her by showing off their gifts.

“Mom, where’s Richard?” I asked when she sat beside me on the sofa.

It wasn’t until we were opening presents that I learned why she’d really come.

“Richard and I are getting divorced,” she said quietly as we sat together, watching the kids unwrap what seemed like their fifteenth gifts. “It… it didn’t work out the way I’d hoped.”

“Mom, I’m sorry.”

She shook her head. “I’m not. I realized I was trying to fill a void that could only be filled by reconnecting with my daughter.” She looked at me with tears in her eyes. “I’ve missed too much of your life in the last few months, and I don’t want to miss any more.”

“There’s one gift left,” Candy said an hour later.

“Is it for me?” Sophie asked, dropping her new doll to rush over.

“Nope,” said Tank, getting to the small box first. “It’s for Piper.” He sat back down beside me.

“Merry Christmas,” he whispered, kissing my cheek. “Open it, darlin’.”

A hush came over the room as I untied the bow and carefully unwrapped it. I gasped when I lifted the lid and saw a skeleton key attached to a beautiful silver chain.

“What is it?” Sophie asked, leaning in for a closer look.

Tank smiled and cleared his throat. “It’s the key to Cedar Point. I bought the camp for us, Piper, to live in, or use as a vacation home, whatever you want. However you want. This place holds the memories of us falling in love; that’s the important thing.”

The room erupted in excited chatter, but all I could focus on was Tank’s face.

“You bought us the camp,” I said, still processing.

“For our future,” he said, giving me a quick kiss. “Although we’re going to have to beef up security significantly once the K19 Sentinel Cyber team hears about the skeleton key.”

“Biometric locks seem wrong, but they make it work at Kane Mountain,” I said, still in shock over Tank’s amazing gift.

“Happy?” he asked. “You like it, right?”

“It’s perfect,” I whispered. “You’re perfect.”

The rest of Christmas Day passed in a blur of joy and laughter.

We played games, took walks in the snow that wasn’t as deep as it looked from inside, and shared stories by the fire.

Mom and Candy bonded as they made dinner, while Bradley, Tank, and Carter discussed fishing spots for the spring.

Powell and Sophie made plans for summer visits, and Riley napped peacefully in various family members’ arms.

As evening approached and we settled in the living room with hot chocolate and leftover pie, Tank and I talked with our parents about our plans.

“Have you thought about a wedding date?” Candy asked, clearly already making mental lists. “I know you just got engaged last night, but…”

“What would you think about July 4?” Tank asked.

“It’s perfect. Admiral and Alice’s baby is due in April, and I want to ask her to be my matron of honor. What about you?” I asked Tank. “Have you given it any thought?”

“I already asked Atticus to be my best man,” he said sheepishly.

“What did he say?”

“Yes, without hesitation.”

“He’s family,” said Candy. “And we miss having him here with us this year, but I understand he’d want to be with his mom. Speaking of family,” she added with a pointed look. “This house is too big for just two people...”

Both Tank and I blushed, then chuckled.

“God, Mom,” said Tank. “Let us get married first.”

“Why wait?” she said with a wink. “Everyone gets pregnant before they get married these days.”

“Sorry,” Tank whispered. “She can be…”

“Don’t apologize.” I squeezed his hand. “I love her exactly the way she is.”

“Mom’s right. This place is perfect for kids,” Cam said, looking around the spacious room. “Plenty of space to run around, the lake for swimming and fishing…”

“Don’t pressure them,” Carter warned, but he was smiling. “Though I have to say, Powell and Sophie would love some cousins to play with. Especially here.”

As the evening wound down and everyone headed to bed, Tank and I stepped out onto the shoveled deck overlooking the lake. The snow had stopped, leaving everything covered in a pristine white blanket.

“So,” I said, leaning against the railing. “Our house.”

“Our house,” he confirmed, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “What do you think? Too much, too fast?”

“No,” I said, surprising myself with the certainty in my voice. “It feels right. This place, your family, my mom, our future—it all feels right.”

“Good, because I have more plans,” he said, his breath warm against my ear.

“Oh really? What kind of plans?”

“That vacation in the Caribbean?”

“That sounds amazing,” I said, turning in his arms. “But let’s go back inside before your mother sends out a search party.”