14. Save Caterina

Caterina's breathing began to sound labored. Not only was she exhausted from running away from Leonardo's pursuit, but she was also tired of the feelings that kept lingering in her chest. Why did it have to be Leonardo? Why should she be hated by the man she loved so much? All the love she had poured out for a dozen years for Leonardo was instead rewarded with hatred and the desire to kill. Caterina never knew that loving Leonardo would be this risky.

Caterina's steps stopped when she no longer heard Leonardo's cries echoing her name. She no longer heard the roar of steps chasing behind her. Now there was only one thing to do, and that was to find a way to get over the fence. If she could get through the tall, towering fence that surrounded Marco's luxurious mansion, then it was certain that she would be able to survive and escape to a place further away. She would be free from Leonardo, as well as Marco.

“I can't waste time.” Caterina muttered. As long as the battle was still going on, everyone's focus would be on the battle. This was the most opportune time for her to escape.

Caterina stepped up to the iron fence. She rubbed the rope binding her hands against one of the sharp metal parts. She exerted all her strength to break the rope quickly. As she expected, her hands were finally freed from the tight rope. Her wrists looked red and left rope marks.

When she turned around, she was shocked and wide-eyed. The figure she had been avoiding stood proudly in front of her. The man was staring coldly, as usual. However, now she could find something new there. That gaze was different from the usual.

'A murderous gaze.' That's what Caterina thought.

Caterina was about to turn around and run, but her steps were halted as Leonardo grabbed her wrist very hard.

“Let me go, Leo, I have no business with you. Let me go; my father sacrificed himself for my safety.” Caterina said pleadingly.

Leonardo stared with a troubled feeling. His grip on Caterina's wrist was getting harder; he felt his chest burning.

'Is this how you always felt when I rejected your presence back then? It turns out that being in your shoes is so painful.' Leonardo said to himself. He never knew what pain someone felt when his love was rejected openly.

“Let go of me!” Caterina rebelled. She tried very hard to break Leonardo's grip, but she was outmatched.

“I will never let you go.” Leonardo said flatly but sounded so stern.

“Why do you hate me so much? What did I do wrong? If it was my love for you that made you want to kill me, I've already gotten rid of those feelings. I hate you, so let me go. I've hated you ever since you shot Gabriel right in front of me.” Caterina said with emphasis. She wanted to convince Leonardo that she no longer loved him.

Leonardo did not respond. The man was silent; he dragged Caterina to follow him. Caterina was easily dragged along.

Caterina bit Leonardo's arm so hard that the bite marks were bleeding. She hoped that Leonardo would release his grip. However, unexpectedly, Leonardo did not give any reaction. His face even looked so cold and flat.

“You really aren't human.” Caterina said harshly.

Leonardo didn't care about any comments. His only goal was to save Caterina; he didn't care about anything else.

Leonardo took Caterina to a car parked not far from the mansion gate. He opened the car door, then tried to get Caterina into it. However, Caterina continued to resist. She rebelled, trying her best not to get into the car. She thought that her life would be over if she got in there.

“Let me go, damn it!” Caterina kicked.

“Don't force me to be rude.” Leonardo's patience finally ran out. He was visibly annoyed by the attitude Caterina was showing. He had sacrificed a lot for her safety, but she was being rude to him.

“Kate, Mr. Bianchi came here to save you. Even if you don't want to thank him, at least shut up and sit quietly.” Alex chimed in because he couldn't stand it. He couldn't accept when his boss was treated badly by a woman.

'Really?' Caterina wondered in her chest. But why?

Caterina looked closely at Leonardo's face. The lines of the man's face did change slightly; there was a hint of tenderness that she saw.

After hearing Alex's words, Caterina finally complied. She sat quietly in the passenger seat while Leonardo sat beside her. Alex started the engine, then drove the car towards their city.

After Leonardo left the mansion, his men followed behind.

The atmosphere in the car was very tense and quiet. Not a sound could be heard other than the roar of breathing. Caterina and Leonardo were lost in their own thoughts and feelings.

Caterina turned to look at Leonardo. The man looked more handsome and charming from time to time. In the past, Leonardo always protested if Caterina looked at him like that. He never gave Caterina a chance to be that close to him.

Leonardo also turned his head when he felt Caterina was watching him. When Leonardo turned his head, Caterina looked away to avoid a stare-down.

“I'm glad you're safe.” Leonardo opened the conversation.

“Thank you. Although I don't know what your intentions are.” Caterina replied coldly.

“Kate, be a little polite! I can't accept you acting like that to Mr. Bianchi.” Alex said with annoyance.

“What do you think I should do? He wants to kill me, and you expect me to be polite to him? I don't even know what will happen to me when I arrive at the base. I can't imagine what atrocities he'll do to me.” Caterina said angrily.

“Do you think I'm that kind of person?” Leonardo asked expressionlessly.

“What kind of person do you think you are?” Caterina asked back, but her tone sounded full of anger and hatred.

Leonardo let out a rough breath to control his anger. He looked at Alex, who was driving. “Stop the car.”