Page 38 of Code Name: Tank
The simple statement carried more weight than any declaration of intent. Tank wasn’t asking me to forget my past or dismiss my concerns. He was asking me to recognize the difference between manipulation and genuine feeling.
The sound of voices from the command center reminded us both where we were and how exposed this moment had made us. But as Tank stepped back, giving me space to breathe and think, I found myself wishing he hadn’t.
13
TANK
Dragon and I walked back to the command center in silence. Every glimpse of her profile reminded me of the way she responded when I’d pressed her against that tree. I’d crossed a line I couldn’t uncross, and now, we had to work together like nothing had happened.
The command center’s familiar hum greeted us as we stepped through the doors. Dragon’s posture was tense when she moved to her work area, and as I headed toward my own setup, I was hyperaware of every movement she made.
Atticus glanced up from his desk as we entered, his eyes immediately darting between Dragon and me with barely contained amusement.
“Well, well.” Flint’s voice cut through the quiet. “You’re back.”
I looked up to find him watching us with scrunched eyes. The way Dragon’s shoulders stiffened told me she didn’t like his tone any better than I did.
“Knock it off, Flint,” Dragon snapped.
“What?” His smile was cold. “I hope whatever you were discussing wasproductive.”
The emphasis he put on the word made my jaw clench. He’d noticed the way we were avoiding eye contact, the new strain between us. Flint could read people the way Dragon could read code, and right now, he was reading us.
“Very,” I said, turning my head to make sure he couldn’t see me wink but Dragon could. I settled into my chair and opened my laptop. “Dragon’s analysis of the embedded operatives’s patterns is exactly what we needed for tomorrow’s briefing.”
Atticus cleared his throat loudly. “Tank, you’ve got that look again. The one where you’re about to do something that’ll either be brilliant or get you in serious trouble.” His grin was insufferable, but it broke some of the awkwardness.
Flint returned to his own work, but I could feel his attention. Every few minutes, he’d make some comment designed to test the waters—asking Dragon if she needed anything, hinting she might want to take another break, suggesting they review her findings together. Each offer was reasonable on the surface, but underneath, I heard the possessive undertone.
Each time, Dragon deflected with courtesy, but when Flint leaned too close to her monitor, I almost intervened.
My phone buzzed with a message from Admiral.Review PSI intelligence Friday, 1300. Secretary Hartwell specifically requested our preliminary findings. You, Dragon, and Flint.
“Hartwell wants our preliminary findings on the embedded operatives investigation at the end of the week,” I said.
Dragon nodded, pulling up information about the contractor on her screen. “I’ll prepare a brief.”
“I’ll handle the briefing itself,” Flint added, reminding everyone he was the supposed expert.
Alice looked up from her screen. “I can compile the financial forensics data if that helps. Just give me a few minutes between waves.” She gestured vaguely at her stomach.
“Alice, you don’t need to—” I started.
“As I told you before, I’m pregnant, not infirm,” she said with a weak smile. “Though I do appreciate everyone’s concern.”
We spent the next hour coordinating for Friday’s review while I tried not to give in to the distraction of Flint’s behavior toward Dragon. As much as I wished I could tune it out, I still watched from the corner of my eye. I shuddered, realizing that made me just as bad as he was.
My phone buzzed with a text from my mom.Can’t wait to meet this mystery woman at Thanksgiving!I rolled my eyes, first hoping my mother wouldn’t embarrass Dragon, then realizing that while I’d mentioned my parents would be spending the holiday at Canada Lake, I hadn’t actually invited her to join us. I wanted to, but there was no way I’d do it in front of a room of people.
“Dragon, we need to review the recruitment patterns tonight,” he said as we packed up and prepared to head to our respective camps. “There might be connections between the Prague files and current targets that could help us tomorrow.”
“I have other things to take care of,” Dragon replied without looking up from her monitor.
“This can’t wait. The recruitment profiles I’m seeing suggest we’re missing potential targets?—”
“We can discuss it after tomorrow’s review session.” Her voice had enough bite to make Flint’s eyes narrow.
The silence that followed was heavy. I could see him weighing his options, deciding whether to push or retreat. Finally, he wisely chose the latter. “Of course. Whenever you’re ready.” He picked up his laptop, said good night, and walked out.
