WAYNE

CHAPTER 1

Kora Grayson woke up gasping.

Her chest rose and fell unevenly as she sat upright in bed, fingers tightening around the sheets beneath her. Sweat clung to the back of her neck and forehead despite the cold air coming from the air conditioner, and for a few seconds, she couldn’t tell the difference between the nightmare and reality.

The same nightmare.

Always the same nightmare.

A faceless man.

Heavy breathing.

Hands grabbing at her wrists while she struggled to pull away.

The feeling of being trapped.

Kora squeezed her eyes shut and inhaled shakily, forcing herself back to reality.

You’re okay.

The words repeated in her head like a routine she’d memorized over the years.

You’re okay now.

The sound of her bedroom door opening caught her attention. Ivy stood there holding two mugs of coffee, her perfectly shaped blonde brows pulling together in concern almost immediately.

“Again?” Ivy asked softly.

Kora looked away, embarrassed by how obvious it was. “Was I screaming?”

“A little.” Ivy walked into the room carefully placing the mugs on the bedside table. “You know, at this point, I’m starting to think your subconscious enjoys torturing both of us.”

A weak laugh escaped Kora despite herself. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” Ivy sat beside her, nudging one of the mugs toward her. “Drink this before you pass out dramatically and ruin my morning.”

Kora rolled her eyes faintly before taking the coffee.

The warmth settled against her palms, calming her slightly.

Outside the large apartment windows, the city was already alive. Cars moved endlessly below while sunlight spilled across the expensive buildings surrounding them. Everything looked normal outside. Peaceful.

Meanwhile, her mind still felt like a battlefield.

Ivy studied her quietly for a moment before speaking again. “You need to stop locking yourself away.”

Kora sighed immediately. “Please don’t start.”

“I’m serious.” Ivy leaned back against the headboard. “You work, you come home, you ignore people, and then you spend the rest of the night inside your own head.”

“I like my own head.”

“No, you don’t,” Ivy replied bluntly. “If you did, you wouldn’t wake up looking like you fought demons in your sleep.”

Kora stayed silent.

Because the annoying thing was... Ivy was right.

Ever since her last relationship ended, something in her had changed. Trust became difficult. Being touched unexpectedly made her uncomfortable. She hated crowded places now. Hated feeling watched. Vulnerable.

And relationships?

Those became the easiest thing to avoid completely.

Ivy suddenly snapped her fingers in front of her face. “Anyway, enough sadness. We’re going out tonight.”

Kora blinked. “We?”

“Yes. Me and you.” Ivy smiled proudly at herself. “There’s a party tonight and before you say no, understand that I already picked your outfit.”

“Ivy—”

“No no no.” She pointed a warning finger at her. “You are not spending another Friday night rewatching movies while pretending you’re perfectly happy avoiding human interaction.”

Kora groaned softly, dropping her head back dramatically. “You’re exhausting.”

“And you love me.”

“Unfortunately.”

“Exactly.” Ivy stood from the bed victoriously. “Be ready by eight.”

Before Kora could protest again, Ivy walked out of the room with a satisfied grin.

Kora stared at the ceiling after she left, already regretting agreeing to something she technically hadn’t agreed to.

Parties were not her thing anymore.

Too loud.

Too crowded.

Too many men who couldn’t take no for an answer.

Still...Ivy had a point.

Maybe she was tired of hiding too.

By the time eight o’clock came around, Kora was already questioning every decision that led her here.

The black dress Ivy picked for her hugged her body perfectly without being too revealing, stopping just above her thighs. Her curls framed her face effortlessly, and the subtle makeup only highlighted her naturally soft features.

“You look hot,” Ivy announced proudly from the doorway.

Kora gave her an unimpressed look. “You say that every time.”

“Because it’s true every time obviously.” Ivy grabbed her wrist dramatically. “Now come on before I lose patience.”

The party was being held at one of the most expensive hotels in the city. Music pulsed through the building the moment they stepped inside, mixing with laughter, alcohol, and expensive perfume.

Kora already wanted to leave.

Ivy, on the other hand, looked completely at home as she dragged her deeper into the crowd.

“Relax,” she yelled over the music. “Nobody’s trying to kidnap you.”

“That’s comforting,” Kora voiced out with sarcasm.

Ivy laughed before disappearing toward the bar, leaving Kora standing alone near the edge of the room.

Her eyes wandered around absentmindedly.

Rich people.

Fake smiles.

Too much money.

Nothing interesting.

Until she saw him.

Her breath caught slightly.

The man stood across the room surrounded by others, but somehow he still looked alone.

Tall.

Broad shoulders.

Black suit.

Dark hair pushed back carelessly.

But it was his face that held her attention.

Sharp jawline. Cold expression. Eyes that looked almost emotionless as he listened to the people around him speak.

There was something unsettling about him.

Not in a bad way.

Worse.

The kind of man who looked dangerous without even trying.

As if he belonged somewhere darker than this glittering room.

And then his eyes lifted.

Straight to her.

Kora immediately looked away.

Her pulse stumbled awkwardly against her ribs.

Ridiculous.

She didn’t even know him.

Still, she could feel his stare long after she looked away.

“You noticed him too?” Ivy suddenly appeared beside her with two drinks.

Kora tried to sound casual. “Who?”

Ivy smirked knowingly. “Travis Wayne.”

The name somehow suited him perfectly.

“Who is he?” Kora asked quietly before she could stop herself.

Ivy handed her a drink. “Rich. Powerful. Mysterious. Women are obsessed with him.”

“That tells me absolutely nothing.”

“That’s because nobody really knows much about him.” Ivy shrugged. “Which honestly makes people more obsessed.”

Kora glanced back toward him before she could stop herself.

Bad idea.

He was already looking at her again.

This time, he didn’t look away.

Something about the intensity of it made heat crawl slowly up her neck.

“Don’t tell me you’re nervous,” Ivy teased.

“I’m not.”

“Mhm.” Ivy sipped her drink. “Well, he’s coming over here.”

Kora’s eyes widened slightly. “What?”

Too late.

The closer he got, the more overwhelming his presence became. Conversations around them seemed quieter somehow, people subtly moving aside without realizing it.

Power.

Not loud power.

The dangerous kind.

The kind that didn’t need to announce itself.

When he finally stopped in front of them, Kora realized something terrifying.

He was even more attractive up close.

“Travis,” Ivy greeted casually. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Last minute decision.” His voice was deep, calm, controlled.

Then his eyes moved to Kora again.

It felt intentional.

Careful.

As if he was studying her.

“This is my best friend, Kora.” Ivy introduced. “Kora, Travis.”

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Then he held out his hand slowly.

“Kora.”

The way he said her name sent an unfamiliar feeling through her chest.

She placed her hand in his reluctantly. “Travis.”

His grip was warm. Firm.

He didn’t let go immediately.

And somehow, that tiny moment felt far too intimate for two strangers.

“You look uncomfortable,” he said suddenly.

Kora blinked. “Excuse me?”

“At this party.” His expression barely changed. “You look like you’d rather be anywhere else.”

A surprised laugh escaped her before she could stop it. “Is it that obvious?”

“To me? Yes.”

Something about the answer made her heart beat harder.

Before she could respond, a drunk man stumbled near them, bumping roughly into Kora’s shoulder.

“Watch it,” the man muttered carelessly, his eyes lingering on her body afterward in a way that immediately made her uncomfortable.

Kora instinctively stepped back.

Travis noticed.

The shift in him was subtle but immediate.

His entire expression darkened.

“Walk away,” Travis said calmly.

The drunk man scoffed. “Or what?”

Silence.

Dangerous silence.

Travis stepped slightly in front of Kora. Not aggressively. Somehow that made it worse.

“You don’t want me answering that question.”

The man laughed nervously before walking away muttering under his breath.

Kora stared at Travis quietly.

Most men would’ve caused a scene.

Raised their voice.

Tried to impress her.

But Travis?

He looked completely calm.

And somehow that frightened her more.

“You okay?” he asked without looking at her.

She nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

His gaze finally returned to her face.

For the first time that night, something unreadable flickered behind his eyes.

Interest. Real interest.

“Let me take you out sometime.”

Not a question.

Kora swallowed softly.

Every logical thought in her head told her to say no.

Men like him didn’t come without consequences.

They were literally the problem and she could already feel it.

But standing there under his gaze, with her pulse racing for reasons she didn’t fully understand...

“No,” her instincts whispered.

Unfortunately, her heart was already betraying her.