Page 65 of Shattering

But for all his roguish charm and playboy tendencies, Byron was also irrevocably in love with Ana.

Not that Ana had ever given him the time of day.

Cadi had lost count of the number of times she had watched Byron—strong, confident, used to getting exactly what he wanted—get completely and utterly dismissed by Ana. It was almost comical. Almost.

Ana didn'tdodistractions. She was always off on one dangerous mission or another, investigating corruption, uncovering scandals, digging deep into stories that other journalists would have turned away from.

And right now, she was incommunicado.

Cadi sighed, her fingers tracing the grain of the wooden table absently. She wasn't one to worry—not really—but when Ana went off-grid, it always left a weight in her chest.

She told herself it was fine. Ana was capable, sharp, always five steps ahead.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed her now.

Ana had always known what to say. Had always been the one to tell Cadi the truth, unfiltered, unapologetic, and sometimesinfuriatinglyblunt.

And right now, Cadi needed that.

But Ana wasn't here.

Her gaze drifted longingly toward the large windows, where the garden stretched beyond, a wild tangle of bare branches and frost-covered grass. She hadn't had the time for it in ages. Ithad once been her escape, the only place she felt truly untangled from the chaos of life.

For a fleeting moment, she wanted to step outside, to disappear into the quiet of the garden—if only for a little while.

But she knew she couldn't.

Besides, it was freezing.

With a sigh, she turned away, straightening her shoulders.

With one last glance at the patio doors, Cadi straightened.

She needed to talk to Gray.

And no matter how wrecked she felt, no matter how much anger and betrayal still churned in her gut—she owed him that.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and headed for the stairs.

Taking a deep breath at the landing, expecting to find Gray in the master bedroom. But when she pushed open the door, the bed was empty.

Frowning, she checked the walk-in closet—nothing.

A flicker of unease crept in as she padded toward the bathroom, pushing open the door. No sign of him.

She checked the guest bathroom next, then hesitated in the hallway, trying to think where else he could have gone.

Gray, where did you go?

Then it hit her.

Cadi made her way toward Tomos's bedroom, nudging the door open quietly.

And there he was.

Gray was curled up with Tomos in his small bed, the little boy tucked into his side, his tiny hand gripping the front of Gray's t-shirt. Both were fast asleep.

For a moment, Cadi just stood there, something unexpected softening in her chest.

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