Abrade - [Charles Leclerc] A Sequel To Corrode

Sedici

           "I feel so bad, Mick," Celia whispered into his shirt while Mick's hand comfortingly moved up and down her back. "It's not your fault Teresa got kidnapped," he said, kissing the side of her head. "No, but I kept you busy while you were supposed to guard!" Celia said, lifting her head and wiping the corner of her eyes. "My shift started at five in the morning, it happened later while Charles called me down, I'm sure they will not blame you for anything," Mick reassured her, caressing her cheek. Celia nodded slowly, still not completely convinced. She felt stupid and guilty that she distracted Mick. She's not completely the one to blame, though. His shift ended eight yesterday and they had spent the whole evening and night together in bed. "Charles caught me leaving your room," he said, a small grin curled the corner of his mouth upward. "That does not make me feel better," Celia said, crossing her arms over her chest. She got up from the sofa and went into the kitchen. Charles had been crystal clear about his decision to send Joanne, her and the other staff to the safehouse.

Joanne had gotten a flashback from the previous time she had been there. Celia knew it had been a traumatic experience. Joanne was pregnant with Teresa when Charles' crew was at war with another crew, and it felt like this movie of their life had the same script. Charles had shut the door of his office and was discussing things with his partners. Throughout the morning, multiple helicopters had landed on the helipad near the Leclerc residence. Carlos Sainz and his representatives had rolled out, as did Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen. The last mobster named didn't come if it was a small task, so everyone knew how big it was if Verstappen was getting involved as well. Celia helped Joanne packing some things she needed to take to the safehouse. They didn't know how long they would be there, so they just packed a bunch of things to be sure they had everything they needed. "Are you holding up, Joanne?" Celia asked - not asking 'how' she was holding up, but 'if' she was holding up in general. "Not really," Joanne admitted. "I'm so scared, God..." tears were welling up in her eyes again.

"I hate how I can't do anything. She must be terrified. I hope she's not hurt," Joanne said, sitting down on the edge of the bed with a sigh. "They're trying to see if they can get the security camera footage back, because they let the system crash for a couple of hours," she said, clearing her throat and getting up again to continue packing. "It somehow comforts me that all of his partners are here, especially some I haven't seen in a long time. I know he won't be going into this fight alone, but at the same time it scares the shit out of me that they need such a big crew to kill this guy," Joanne rambled. "God knows what they're doing to my baby now," her voice broke. "We're hoping for the best, Joanne," Celia said, wrapping Joanne up in a hug. She hesitated if it would be professional or not, but she had known Joanne for so long now. Joanne squeezed the girl in her arms. "Thank you," she muttered, getting a tissue to clean her nose. "Joanne?" one of the guards knocked on the door and poked his head around the corner. "Charles is asking for you, in his office."

She nodded and thanked him. "I'll finish packing, don't worry," Celia said. Joanne gave her a tightlipped smile and walked downstairs. She entered her husbands office. "Close the door, mon amour," Charles requested, hearing the door falling into the lock not much later. It was awfully quiet in his office. He looked tired after spending the day from five am researching, planning and gathering the people he needed to get his daughter back. "The text to the burner phone was a distraction, that's how they all got us downstairs while they kidnapped Teresa. We're working on finding where they took her, but with the team we have, it's going to take us an hour," Charles said. "The car outside is ready to take you, Celia and the others to the safehouse. I'll let Mick come with you, like..." Charles voice was stuck in his throat. They looked at each other and seemed to think the same thing: like the last time. "Yes," Joanne said, before he could continue. She sighed deeply, feeling her heart hurt as she did so. "Are Jules and Liam coming with you?" she asked, already knowing the answer to that question.