Chapter 3

Summer hadn't expected to run into Mason right after she was reborn. The thought of Mason running into the fire to hug her at the final moments of her life made her chest tighten. Pain crashed through her body.

Wait a minute. Did Mason walk past the bar street on that fateful night in her past life?

She assumed he had heard about the incident because her nudes caused quite a stir back then. If Mason had already fallen in love with her at that time…

A wave of pain rolled through her. She stopped herself from thinking further.

The footsteps outside slowly receded.

Letting out a relieved sigh, Mason loosened his grip on Summer's mouth. Gazing down with a frown, he removed her cap. "Ms. Hartford?"

This was the second time Summer heard his voice. He had first addressed her in the fire, saying to her, "I will never leave you alone again."

His voice was low and melodious, like an instrument.

Staring up at Mason, all she could think of was Rose's cruel remarks during her final moments in the past life. She struggled to regain her composure.

Seeing that, Mason thought he had sent Summer into a state of shock.

He cautioned, "Young lady, it's dangerous to hang out here alone at night." After that, he put her cap on her head. His tone had obviously softened.

Had his employees seen him right now, they would have doubted their eyes. Mason had never been so gentle with anyone.

When his arm brushed past Summer's nose, she picked up the metallic tang of blood. Glancing at him nervously, she asked, "Mason Hunt, are you injured?"

Taken aback, he quickly beamed at her. "Do you know me?"

She was speechless at his odd focus. Anyway, from their brief encounter, Mason seemed vastly different from how he was described. He didn't feel devilish at all.

People often described him as a cold-blooded man who would kill his own siblings for power and wealth. However, the man who stood before her with a bright smile on his face did not seem capable of those acts.

At that thought, Summer quickly shook off the memories from her past life. Whatever Mason had done for her in the past life was irrelevant, as those events hadn't happened in her present life.

She was grateful to Mason for his sacrifices in the past life. At the same time, she knew too well that the Hunt family was a wolves' den. Any family who was involved with them in any way would not end well.

Having suffered the loss of family in the past life, Summer only hoped for her family to stay safe and healthy. She would never bring them any trouble.

"They've left. You should get your wound treated. It's about time I go home, too." With that, Summer tried to leave.

"Wait a minute!" Mason had placed another hand on the wall, effectively trapping her between his two extended arms.

She furrowed her brows and instinctively pressed her back against the wall to put some distance between them. "What are you trying to do?"

"They have not gone far yet. It's not safe out there. Just wait a little more," he explained in a voice so soft that it sent a ripple across her heart.

"Oh," she replied in a dull voice.

Despite her best attempt to distance herself, they stayed close to each other. She picked up the scent on his body, a mixture of bloodthirstiness and the icy tones in his cologne.

Meanwhile, Mason was taking in Summer's sweet, feminine scent.

In the silence of the narrow space, sparks started to fly between them.

Summer turned her face to the side. Her eyes swept past his slender yet muscular arm. The lines of his biceps screamed masculinity. All of a sudden, she felt hot and stuffy.

A piercing cry from the alley cut through the air, abruptly interrupting their mood.

It was a cry from Rose.

Frowning slightly, Mason observed the movements outside from the corner of his eyes.

Noticing that, Summer grasped his arm. "Don't go."

Her response took him by surprise.

His eyes fell on the dainty, cold, and trembling hand on his arm. Then, they traveled to her face.

At first, Summer braced for Mason's question, but he ended up asking nothing at all. He replied in a serious tone, "Okay."

His curt and firm reply felt like a rock that was tossed into a calm lake. It sent her heart racing.

Moments later, Summer heard the sounds of cars screeching to a brake out there. People scrambled to get out of the car. She raised her guard at the sounds.

Why did another group of men arrive just after the previous group had left? Was she really going to die with Mason right after she was reborn? Was it her destiny to die with him?

Mason sensed her nervousness as they were near each other. He chuckled when she stiffened upon hearing the commotion outside, and he comforted her, "Calm down. They're my men."

"Oh." Looking bashful, she said, "Well, I'm going to leave now."

She squeezed her way out from beneath his arm. He watched her tiny frame with an arched brow and an amused smile. Then, he followed behind her.

When Summer and Mason appeared from between the buildings, a burly man rushed toward them in a panic. "Mr. Hunt, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Mason replied to him.

Summer, who was walking ahead, paused and turned around to look at Mason in shock.