Corrode - [Charles Leclerc]

𝘿𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞

       The heavy door of the meeting room fell close behind Charles when he joined as the last person. He made his way to the head of the table and he pushed his arms out of the sleeves of his jacket to hang it over the back of the chair before pulling it back. It was quiet when Charles sat down in the seat, his sleeves of his blouse rolled up to his elbows. "Alright". He spoke up. "Marcus and Mick were out on patrol yesterday and they have found this guy sniffing around in our business. Possibly if I may add". Charles opened a map where Mick had put the printed out pictures in. "His crew sign is here". Charles took a pen an encircled it. "I've seen that sign before". Giovinazzi answered, a curt nod of his head in addition. "Around the harbour". He explained. "I think we caused bad blood". Pierre spoke up from his side. "There's a new crew around here and we shot the spokesperson and their guards". Pierre explained for the rest of the men seated at the table.

"And that was necessary because...?". Arthur asked, his eyebrows raised. He knew his brother had a temper sometimes and in cases like this, it could come back to bite him in the ass. "He thought he was the man of the deal and mentioned something about my girl". Charles said, looking into Arthur's eyes. "Now they know how to rile you up, well done". Ricciardo said from the other side of the table. "You should leave your personal life out of this, Charles. Now we have a possible war with another crew which could've been preveneted very easily". Arthur sighed, moving his hand through his dirty blonde hair. Charles' jaw slacked in response. "Enough". His voice boomed through the room. "They have gotten their revenge by using me as their personal punching bag. We haven't attacked them eversince. If they have killed one of our men, we have killed on of theirs. It's over now and we shouldn't spend time on those assholes anymore". He added.

"I want extra protection during the casino night and also extra protection for Joanne and her son. I want patrolls around the school and during the night around her apartment block". Charles summed up. "She's a woman, Charles". Antonio said. "Yes, that's why I want extra guards around her block". He snarled in response. "The code says we can't kill any women. They have to live up to that code too". Antonio meant. "Not killing still means torture till her heartbeats once a minute, any more questions?". Charles' eyebrows and everyone shook their heads. "I do want everyone to look out for these guys. I don't know where they are from, but I want to receive all information possible about them. They are coming here and think they can play on our ground". The men at the table hummed in agreement. "We will keep a low profile. All of us". Arthur added. "No attacks, no funny business to provoke anything. We will go after them for war when the time is there".

Charles nodded along to that. "Good. Continuing about the Casino night...". He leaned his elbows on the table. "Our Eastern partners are invited too, it's likely they will arrive. Let's close new deals and get new contact. Trucks with the supplies for that night will arrive tomorrow evening, Daniel?". Charles looked over at his Australian partner, who nodded. "Yes. My crew will accompany them on their drive from Nice. Everything will be dropped off safely". Daniel confirmed. "Right, I will wait at the Casino for you". Arthur added. "Settled". Charles said and ended the meeting.

     It was a little after one in the afternoon when he pulled up in front of the Italian Il Terrazzino restaurant. Sebastian's car was already there. Charles crossed the road and entered the restaurant, walking to the terrace where his partner was seated with a cup of coffee in front of him and the newspaper on the table. "Seb". Charles spoke up while sitting down. "Charles". Sebastian replied and closed the newspaper. "Are you staying till this weekend?". Charles asked as he got comfortable in the chair. "I'm not sure. Hanna is alone with the kids". Sebastian explained, referring to his family. "Aren't you settling down at the moment too?". The German rose his eyebrows with a small grin. Charles' lips curled slightly upwards. "Something like it". He admitted. "She's the teacher of my son". He explained then. Sebastian nodded approvingly. "Alright, to get back to why we're here...". Sebastian said and pulled an envelope from his pocket.