A vow of love

21

"My wife has made a full recovery and is currently in excellent health, but after what happened at our wedding, you understand the reluctance of Los Angeles families not to expose their new queen to unnecessary danger" Shane looked around the three men. This wasn't an update on Claire's health, it was a warning to their people in Chicago that if they tried to turn on Stone, there would be a war between Los Angeles and Chicago, and that the alliance between Claire and Shane was more than welcome regardless of whether Chicago liked it or not.

"Of course, I don't know how we can apologize for what happened, we are all aware that what Loit Michaels did was more than unforgivable" Daniel Norton, a man in his forties, nodded apologetically. Shane snorted, except for Harry Grand, he still didn't trust Norton and Eric Mitchells, the two families seemed to be trying to stay away and out of sight of Shane and his father.

"And he'll pay for what he's done, even now our people are following him. I'm sure when we leave tomorrow I'll find every one of you behind me?" his cold gaze swept over the three faces, Harry Grand nodded without hesitation, confirming the opinion that he could be trusted, but the other two did not show the same obedience and Shane gritted his teeth when seconds after Grand, Norton and Mitchells nodded as well.

Shane's presence in Chicago hasn't gone unnoticed. It was news that the new heir to Levi's territory was finally taking matters into his own hands, and for the past two days, Shane had been living in Levi's mansion, which had been repaired and renovated, constantly visited by bosses of other territories looking for a weak spot and an opportunity to remove Shane. It wasn't something Shane couldn't handle, he'd had enough of these encounters before, and his natural dominance quickly signaled that he wasn't prey.

Still, he didn't like how everyone questioned the union, even those who already knew that his marriage to Claire was much, much more than just a deal, and that Shane would do anything to protect her and her legacy. "But it would have been nice to have Mrs. Stone in attendance, after all, she runs our Chicago territory now, doesn't she?" Mitchells narrowed his eyes at him and Shane inwardly rolled his eyes.

"At the moment my wife shows no interest in leadership, but if that ever changes, my father and I will support her and you will be notified in due course" the provocation was clear, they were still looking for a breakthrough in their relationship with Claire. A woman leading the families was not unheard of, but extremely rare, and everyone knew that Claire was raised to be a wife, not a leader, however, Shane's words were true, if Claire decided to take over the management of the Chicago Territory, he would not object, on the contrary, he would support her without a second thought.

The conversation continued for another three hours, three hours too long. Shane explained the plan of action, carefully watching Norton and Mitchells, the two kept looking at each other and he didn't like it. Mitchells had the look of a wolf refusing to share his prey and Shane made a mental note to keep an eye on him. "Harry, would you stay for a moment?" Harry Grand nodded, Norton and Mitchells looked at each other again, but left them alone.

"Is everything alright?" Harry returned to his seat and looked at him worriedly. "Harry, is there anything between Daniel and Eric that I should know about?" Shane asked bluntly and Harry sighed, relaxing slightly. "I don't know what to tell you to be honest" Harry admitted and Shane arched an eyebrow. "They both aren't too happy about Claire marrying you, they don't think a man so young could rule like Michael, besides, they think Claire has gotten under your skin and you'll do whatever she wants" Shane's jaw tightened and he narrowed his eyes.

"So they're underestimating Claire" Harry nodded and leaned back. "I've known Claire all her life and I'm aware of how smart she is. I didn't like the way the world underestimated our women before, Alexa was a great leader and Michael listened to her advice, that's what got him to where the Levi family is now, but Eric and Daniel have been taught that women are just tools and don't accept the possibility of a woman being the head of the family" Shane hummed thoughtfully and chuckled slightly.