The Cartel - Ashley Antoinette Snell [39]
Carter loaded his Range Rover with his luggage with the help of Ace and Zyir, as he prepared to leave for Miami. Once the car was loaded up, Carter slapped hands with his crew and told them that he would send for them, once he got comfortable in Miami. Anxious to get back to Miami, he got in the car and pulled off. He tried to convince himself that he was looking forward to getting money there, but seeing Miamor again was definitely a factor in his decision.
Chapter Nine
“We don’t die, bitch!”
—Mecca
When Monroe stepped into the conference room, he was shining like new money. The nervous energy in his stomach quickly subsided as he shook hands with the group of men who had invested in Diamond Realty. His Oleg Cassini designer suit and Steve Madden shoes solidified his position as the new head of his father’s company. He walked, talked, and dressed the part, but he was aware of the skepticism and larceny in the hearts of his business peers. His father’s business partners were not too keen at the thought of him heading the business.
Diamond Realty had been founded from drug money and private investments from the board members. In its seven years of being in business, the commercial and high-end residential real estate company had acquired some of the most sought-after properties in Florida and was worth well over a hundred million dollars in equity alone. The company’s worth was growing by the day, and the board members felt that Carter’s position should have been given to someone more qualified than his son.
“Monroe, it’s good to have you on board,” Harper Spokes greeted as he and Monroe shook hands.
“It’s good to be on board, Harper,” Monroe responded.
Harper took a seat at the head of the conference table, sat back comfortably in the chair, and loosened his necktie a bit. “I know that it’s going to take some time for you to get used to the way we do things here. Getting into the swing of things is going to take some time, but I’m willing to teach you everything I know. A little training from me, and you’ll be a pro,” Harper stated confidently. He figured that if he played the role of mentor, it would be easy for him to call the shots from behind the scenes.
Monroe walked behind Harper and put his hands on his shoulders as he looked out at the rest of the board members. “That won’t be necessary, Harper, although it was a gracious offer. The way we do things are about to change, indeed.” Monroe patted the back of Harper’s chair, signaling him to arise from his seat. He then tightened Harper’s necktie and looked him sternly in the eye. “I’m the boss,” he stressed. “The way that we do business will revolutionize so that I am familiar and comfortable with the daily operations and you all are the ones in training. You all will be the ones adjusting, because you have to learn the way that I conduct business.”
Monroe pulled out a chair in the middle of the conference table. “Have a seat, Harper.” He gave the man time to sit down before he continued. “Now I can assure you that it is very similar to the way that my father did things, but I will not allow myself to be at a disadvantage in my own company. New leadership brings about new policy. If any of you think that it is time for you to move on to new ventures, I completely understand. I will accommodate you with severance pay, but I can guarantee that if you stay on board we will all see a substantial rise in profits. The way that I am going to expand Diamond Realty is going to be nothing short of remarkable, and I would love to have each of you on my team. What do you say?”
Silence filled the room. Monroe wasn’t naïve and was sure that there were members who doubted him and even some that wanted to get up and leave, but they were cowards and would never speak up. He took their silence for submission and was satisfied with their fear of him. It was the same type of respect that his father had demanded, and the torch