48. Go Back or Die!

Not what Caterina imagined. This time Marco returned there before noon. He brought a lot of food stock, then filled the refrigerator until it was full. He seemed a little awkward when he met Caterina because he couldn't stop thinking about what they had done last night.

Marco's thoughts started to run wild. Seeing Caterina's response, he began to think that Caterina loved him too. He began to hope for a happy ending for them. If no one came to disturb him, he was sure he could melt Caterina's heart and invite her to live together.

“You just relax here. I will prepare a lunch menu. I want to make a surprise. Just don't go into the kitchen until I call you." Caterina said excitedly. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Marco and his father in the front room. The two men began trying to build a good relationship by drinking coffee together while watching television.

"Okay." Both of them couldn't wait for the lunch menu that Caterina would provide. Both of them seemed equally enthusiastic. Unlike Leonardo, who never appreciated any effort Caterina put in.

Caterina looked cheerful and jogged towards the kitchen, which was quite far from the room where Dante and Marco were relaxing. The mansion was very spacious; whatever happened to the room where Marco and Dante were, the noise would not reach where Caterina was.

"Do you like Kate?" Dante immediately asked after Caterina disappeared from his sight.

"What?" Marco was quite surprised when he found that question. Why so suddenly? He was quite nervous when he heard that question. Because he wasn't ready yet. He was like a man being interrogated by his girlfriend's father.

“I see Kate enjoys being around you. If you don't like her, please don't play with his feelings. She had suffered a lot because of a man. I just want the best for her. I like you, but I don't fully approve of you hooking up with Kate. I want a man who is good and far from criminal to be her partner. You and Leonardo are the same because you work in the same field. Although I have to admit you are much better than Leonardo.” Dante immediately spoke at length and at length.

Marco was silent.

“I just realized that Kate's happiness is the most important thing. She used to be very cheerful, but she changed since Leonardo always hurt her. Every day Leonardo insulted her. At first I thought Leonardo's attitude was right because Kate kept bothering her. However, I realized that his actions were very cruel. Slowly Kate's smile began to disappear. It's been a long time since I saw her smile carefreely. With you, she found her happiness again. However, I'm worried that this happiness won't last long. Your job is very risky, and your sister doesn't like it either."

Marco smiled faintly. “I think you're overthinking. Kate and I are just friends. We needed a support system, and we found what we were looking for in each other. I like Kate, but only as a good friend. I think Kate does too. I understand if you're worried about Kate's future. I also worry about my sister's future. However, there is no reason for me to hurt her heart.” He tried to explain.

Marco didn't expect that Kate's father would be an obstacle. He thought Dante would agree if he had a serious relationship with Caterina. It turns out he was wrong; Dante didn't like him being his son-in-law.

There was a commotion coming from up ahead. Marco got up; before he had time to find out what had happened, Leonardo and several of his men were standing in front of Marco.

“It's true as I thought; you can't be trusted.” Leonardo said sharply. Luckily he followed what his men said to come there and confirm whether it was Caterina or not. By finding Dante there with Marco, it was clear who had kidnapped Caterina.

"Why are you guys here?" Marco asked confusedly. Because the only people who know his whereabouts are his subordinates.

“You think we don't have the ability to track? People like you are not worthy of being an ally." Ben spoke with full affirmation.

"Ally? What do you mean? Aren't you enemies?” Dante asked for an explanation.

“Now it is clear what the goal is: to offer peace. I think he has a much bigger goal.” Leonardo's men stirred things up.

“Sorry, sir. We couldn't hold him back; he was so strong.” Marco's men appeared with battered faces.

Leonardo looked at Marco sharply. His hands were clenched. His jaw looked hardened with his neck veins clearly visible.

"Where's Kate?"

"I don't know." Marco is still trying to lie even though the two of them have been caught red-handed.

"You don't know where Kate is while her father is here with you?" Leonardo turned to look at Dante. Dante still looks like before; his broken leg is still wrapped in a cast.

"Can you provide an explanation about this?" Leonardo looked at Dante sharply. For the past month, he has been worried about Caterina and her father's condition. However, it turns out that the people they were worried about were actually living in peace and relaxing.

“There's nothing to explain. You've seen for yourself, Kate and I have left La Vendetta and don't look for us again. We already live quietly here.”

“You betray!” Ben pointed at Dante.

“I did not betray. Marco didn't ask for any information about La Vendetta. Kate and I ran away from La Vendetta because it wasn't the right place for us. Here Marco provides a quiet and peaceful life. Kate doesn't have to worry about when she will die. Living with you made Kate depressed because she thought she would die. Every day she worries about herself, wondering whether she can live until tomorrow or not." Dante expressed his heart.

"You running away from La Vendetta shows that you are treasonous." Ben spoke with great emotion.

Leonardo raised his hand and looked at Ben with the corners of his eyes as if to signal Ben to stop talking.

"Where's Kate?" He repeated the same question.

“she is in the safest place.” Dante answered in annoyance. “We've come this far; please stop interfering in our lives.

Leonardo pointed his gun at Dante.

“Go back to base or you die here.” Leonardo provides a choice.