Page 44 of Code Name: Tank
“Hey, Mom.”
“Piper, darling! I wanted to let you know that Richard and I are taking that Alaskan cruise I told you about. We leave tomorrow and will be gone for two weeks.”
“That sounds nice, Mom. I hope you have a good time.”
“I felt a little guilty about not inviting you, but I know you’re always working during holidays anyway. You never could take time off.”
“You’re right. I’m always working,” I said. The familiar distance in our relationship hurt, but with every year that passed, it lessened. “Have fun on your cruise.”
“We will. Love you, sweetheart.”
After she hung up, I sat staring at my phone. Some things never changed. But maybe that was okay—I was building something new with Tank. Something that felt more like home than anything I’d ever had with Flint.
For the first time since he’d walked out of my life, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.
15
TANK
Iwoke 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.
My phone buzzed with a text from my mom.Flight lands at 3 PM. Can’t wait to see you, honey. And your girlfriend.
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 inMontana, 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.”
