The Cartel 7 ILLUMINATI: ROUNDTABLE OF BOSSES Ashley & JaQuavis ST. MARTIN’S GRIFFIN ​ ​NEW YORK 053-70116_ch00_3P.indd 3 5/31/17 12:17 PM This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organ izations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. the cartel 7: illuminati. Copyright © 2017 by Ashley & JaQuavis. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of Amer i ca. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Ave nue, New York, N.Y. 10010. www . stmartins . com The Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data is available upon request. ISBN 978-1-250-06700-5 (trade paperback) ISBN 978-1-4668-7491-6 (ebook) Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact your local bookseller or the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan . com. First Edition: July 2017 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 053-70116_ch00_3P.indd 4 5/31/17 12:17 PM Chapter 1 The beautiful skyline of Kolkata, India, astonished as they all stared out of their win dows. The tall buildings’ struc- tures were advanced and bright lights lit up the sky as they prepared to descend for landing. Car ter looked on in amazement, never having seen anything so beautiful. The scenery reminded him of New York at night back home in the States, which was shocking to him. Never would he have thought the country could be so modern and picturesque. Every one was well rested, except Car ter. He had stayed up the majority of the flight, wondering what he had been sucked into. This some movie shit, he thought to himself after thinking about the tactics they went through to re- cruit him and his counter parts. Ghost stepped from the cockpit, where he and the pi lot were during the flight. “Good eve ning, every one. We are approaching the city 053-70116_ch01_3P.indd 1 5/31/17 12:19 PM 2 ASHLEY & JAQUAVIS of Kolkata. This is where my team of scientists are located and waiting on your arrival. They are currently duplicat- ing the drug we call Lolita, which is derived from the Rebe flower, as I explained before. This will guarantee the well- being of your lives, kids, and grandchildren. Generational wealth is inevitable. Welcome to the future,” he said smoothly just before he dis appeared back into the cockpit and closed the door behind himself. It seemed as if he dis- appeared before any of them had the chance to ask ques- tions or reply. As always Ghost was smooth and mysterious and his persona and his name matched perfectly. His ghost- like characteristics gave him a mystique and essence that were unfamiliar to them all. His ability to convince suc- cessful drug lords to come together and not create a hierar- chy or totem pole was brilliant. “Is that nigga smooth like that all the time?” Brick asked, breaking the quiet tension within the aircraft. Every one chuckled and it broke the ice among the group of strangers. Brick was a heavier set man with a dark, full beard and raspy voice. He wore dark Versace shades to hide his eyes as he displayed his smile and looked around. Small chatter began as all the dif er ent personalities began to dis- cuss their new venture. *** “You think this shit is really legit?” a man asked, as he put the question on the floor for discussion. He wore a well- tailored shirt with the tie slightly loosened. The cut of his pants was perfect and obviously costume fitted. His slim 053-70116_ch01_3P.indd 2 5/31/17 12:19 PM THE CARTEL 7 3 frame and broad shoulders were athletic and his salt- and- pepper beard suggested he was a gentleman of a certain age. “Shit, it has to be. Our meeting was in the fucking Vat- ican,” Millie said as she emphasized the sacred venue that their initial meeting was in. Car ter Jones remained silent as he sat in the back of the aircraft and listened closely to the open conversation. Not being the one for small talk, he was interested in seeing what was to come from all of this. He had other things on his mind, such as his wife, Miamor, his son, and the cartel organ ization as a whole. He deci ded to keep mum, so he could feel every one out before engaging in the fraterniz- ing. He did notice one thing, though: the older of the two ladies, Anari, was sitting back listening as well. She didn’t say too much and they kept locking eyes with each other, both trying to figure the other out. Only time would tell the relationship that these two would incur. Friend or foe? both wondered, feeling the power that the other one held. It was something about a power ful person that was radi- ant and they both felt it. The aircraft landed smoothly on the private runway and five black SUVs were awaiting their arrival— one for each person. They all stepped fo the jet to a red carpet that led them to the row of cars. Each door was open and a chaufeur stood there, all of them wearing black suits and shades. They allwere of Indian descent, hired guns by Ghost and his board members. Ghost stood at the top of the plane’s stairs as all the bosses reached the bottom. 053-70116_ch01_3P.indd 3 5/31/17 12:19 PM 4 ASHLEY & JAQUAVIS “Your personal cars are waiting for you and will take you to your next location,” Ghost said loudly so every one could hear him loud and clear. *** “Right this way, ma’am,” one of the chaufeurs said to Anari as she was the first to get escorted to her vehicle. Every one else followed suit and got into the luxury truck that had champagne and fruit awaiting them in the back- seat. Once every one was secure in their car, they exited in a single- file line, heading to a resort where they would rest for the night. After a short ride, they arrived at a private estate that was surrounded by a lake. It was in the hills of Kolkata where the air was moist, but warm. As they all stepped out of the cars the huge castlelike mansion was before them. The beautiful gray brick mansion had a wrap- around driveway that seemed to be the size of a football field. The gargoyle statues on top of the castle gave it a dark, Gothic appearance. The moon seemed as if it was shining directly onto the historic place for their viewing plea sure. “Wow. This shit keeps getting better and better,” Brick said as he stepped out of the car and nodded his head in approval of the palace. One by one, they all stepped out and stood side by side. Ghost was standing in the drive- way, waiting for them. He began to walk toward them and stood front and center. They all were surprised he had made it there before them and they never even saw him get of the plane. Ghost stood with his arms crossed and 053-70116_ch01_3P.indd 4 5/31/17 12:19 PM THE CARTEL 7 5 his legs shoulder width apart as he waited until all eyes were on him before he said a word. “Welcome to your place of residence for the next two weeks.” Ghost unleashed a small grin. “Allow me to show the place,” he said just before he led them in. A doorman was standing at the door in a tuxedo awaiting their entry. As they filed into thehouse, the pleasant smell of flowers invaded their nostrils and shiny marble floors were at their feet. The high ceilings and space were high-end and luxurious. The porcelain staircase and handcrafted podi- ums were marble and added a cherry on top of the already astonishing place. The mansion was immaculate to say the least. Ghost continued to host the bunch, intoning, “This was the great emperor’s home and this will be our haven on this brief trip. So, rest up guys. Get rest and relax— tomorrow I will be taking you to the lab so you can see how every thing is made firsthand. Your rooms are assigned to each one of you individually and your name is on the door.” Ghost straightened his tie and looked at each of them in their eyes. His strong jawline and impeccable posture made him look presidential and solid. “Oh, how could I forget? Each of you has a personal masseuse, for your tension or what ever stresses you guys need worked out of your body,” Ghost said while growing a smirk on his face. He then clapped twice, loudly, which echoed throughout the home. Within seconds a line of women appeared at the top of the stairs, all of them wear- ing sultry lingerie and standing with a model’s posture. 053-70116_ch01_3P.indd 5 5/31/17 12:19 PM 6 ASHLEY & JAQUAVIS They all smiled andwere of Indian descent. All of them were dif er ent sizes, but equally beautiful. “Fellas, the ladies will help you get that tension out,” Ghost said as he smiled and winked at the guys. “And of course, for the ladies . .” Ghost clapped again and two well- built, shirtless men appeared in the line as well.