61. Challenge

"I don't want to make peace with you either!" Caterina shouted in Leo's face. The eyes that were now glaring sharply did not make Caterina's courage shrink. Her hatred for Leo made Caterina no longer afraid. Even if she had to die at Leo's hands because she refused to be taken home, Caterina would be ready.

Caterina raised her head with a cynical face. She felt this was her last chance to kill Leo. The more she looked at Leo's face, the deeper the hatred became in Caterina. Remembering how that man abused her and then just left her like that made her very sick. Coupled with the news of Dante's death and Gabriel's condition, which was still in a coma, Caterina's hatred multiplied.

“Why are you so stubborn, Kate!” shouted Leo, starting to get frustrated. His soul, which was more to fire, started to burn. His eyes were sharp as if he was ready to kill anyone who dared to go against his orders, including Caterina.

"I don't want to... go home with the person who killed my father. You!" Caterina pointed at Leo's eyeballs boldly. “You've killed everyone around me. Look how cruel you are. You don't even deserve to live because many spirits hold a grudge against you!”

“The devil is even more noble than you.” Caterina emphasized every word she said.

“You're right, Kate. I'm cruel. So don't fight me and just follow my wishes."

"I would rather die than have to follow your will."

Leo's jaw tightened when he saw the look of hatred in Caterina's eyes. The man thought Caterina was very angry because he had abused her. That's why he came to pick her up because he felt he had to apologize to Caterina. He wanted to admit his mistake and make peace with it. However, it turns out that Caterina actually thinks of him as Dante's killer. Leo did not accept this accusation because he was not the one who killed Dante. Leo actually tries to save Dante.

"In order to avenge my father, I will kill you with my own hands!"

Leo didn't have time to explain, but Caterina had already kicked Leo in the chest so hard that the man bounced into the wall. Caterina's hand grabbed a large flower vase and lifted it high, preparing to throw the jumbo-sized ceramic object at Leo. Her body heated up every time she remembered her father's face, without knowing that Dante was actually still alive with Leo's help.

"At least say goodbye and apologize to Dad when you meet him in the afterlife!" Caterina shouted.

However, before the ceramic object could be thrown, a bullet was fired and the flower vase was destroyed. Caterina, who was shocked, shouted loudly. The ceramic shards injured Caterina's hand so that a lot of blood dripped on the floor. Caterina rushed to pick up a palm-sized ceramic shard and pointed it at Leo's face while intimidating.

“No one can stop me. I have sworn in my father's name to kill a bastard like you!” Caterina's voice trembled from holding back tears.

“Stop it!” Leo signaled his men to retreat when he saw them preparing to attack Caterina.

“Kate, stop! You have to calm down. It turns out you've been misunderstanding all this time. I didn't kill your father. Dante is still alive. You have to believe me," said Leo.

“Don't believe him, Kate. You saw for yourself how he carried your father's body," interrupted Marco.

“Fuck! That damn bastard has poisoned your mind." Leo looked at Marco with sharp eyes.

“That bastard killed your father. He shot a bullet right in the head. The bullet penetrated the brain and put Dante in a coma." Leo pointed at Marco.

Meanwhile, Marco's face looked pale. He panicked and was afraid that his secret would be revealed in front of Caterina. He wasn't ready for Caterina to stay away from him because his love for her was so great. Caterina followed Leo's index finger, but she didn't believe it and instead glared at Leo. The ceramic shard was stuck to Leo's neck. In one pull, it would probably cut Leo's skin.

“You think I'll believe your bullshit?” Caterina quipped.

Marco tugged at the corners of his lips. He was happy because Caterina didn't believe Leo's words at all. He has succeeded in taking all of Caterina's trust and pitting her against her enemy. Rossie, who heard that, immediately approached Marco. She glared at Marco because she doubted her older brother's plans a long time ago.

"It turns out that the human you just praised as good still has the heart to lie to you, Kate. So, he's saying that I killed Dante to make you hate me? Huh, what a coward," exclaimed Leo.

"I did take Dante away and asked my troops to retreat because I didn't want you to get hurt. But Dante is still alive. He's at my base. You can come with me if you don't believe me."

“Don't, Kate. He must be lying," argued Marco.

“I should have killed you!” Leo hissed as he glanced at Marco.

“Put your hands down and come home with me. Dante is waiting for you," said Leo.

"Up to you. I don't want to hear anything that comes out of your mouth. I've had enough of your tricks. I don't want it anymore. If my Father is still alive, bring him before me!”

Leo grabbed Caterina's arm and moved her hand, causing her skin to be scratched by ceramic shards. Fresh blood flowed from the cut on Leo's neck, but the man smiled sarcastically.

“If you don't believe me, let me and Marco play. "The loser must admit his mistake," offered Leo.

Caterina looked for the sincerity in Leo's eyes and then shook her head.

“Let him decide for himself, Kate. See for yourself how cowardly he is because he only dared to lie to you so he could beat me," continued Leo.

“I accept your challenge!” Marco interrupted.

Caterina stepped back, allowing Leo to straighten up and face Marco. Leo asked his men for firearms.

"Very funny. How could a bastard like you be able to manipulate Kate's mind so easily? Dante will definitely curse you when he wakes up." Leo laughed mockingly.

Meanwhile, Marco tried to remain relaxed even though he was actually quite panicked. Occasionally he swallowed nervously but kept his head held high as if he was on the side of the truth.

Leo asks for a firearm from his men and uses it to play with Marco. However, Caterina no longer agrees. She didn't want Marco to end up like Gabriel. Caterina asked Leo to put down his firearm and play with his bare hands.

“Why are you so nervous, Kate? Are you starting to get scared that Marco will lose?” Leo quipped.

“Don't worry about me and stay somewhere safe, Kate,” Marco said.

Leo spat when he heard the small concern Marco made. For a cold-blooded mobster like Leo, anything romantic would only sound disgusting to his ears.

“This game will be easy. If you saw me kill Dante, you just have to guess where the bullet struck. If you're right, you can use this gun to kill me. However, if you are wrong… I will kill you.”