Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2
Leather & Lark
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Chapter Three: Guillotine
Overview
Lachlan arrives in Boston for Rowan’s opening and meets Sloane’s friend, Lark. Instant chemistry leads to a heated kiss on the balcony before they recognize each other as their Halloween foes, igniting a fierce argument. Lark chooses civility for Sloane and Rowan, but pointedly avoids Lachlan, leaving him destabilized.
Summary
Lachlan visits Rowan’s Boston apartment for opening-night celebrations, bantering with his brother Fionn, greeting friends Anna and Rose, and meeting Sloane. Sloane introduces Lark Montague, whose magnetic presence immediately captivates Lachlan. They flirt, trading jokes about feathers and titles, and slip onto the balcony, where tension sharpens into overt attraction.
On the balcony, playful innuendo turns bold. Lark closes the distance and kisses Lachlan; he responds hungrily, losing his restraint. A slip of his trademark “feckin’ Christ Jesus” growl triggers Lark’s recognition. In a jolt, both realize they were adversaries on Halloween—her “Blunder Barbie,” him the “Budget Batman” diver who shoved her in a trunk.
The discovery detonates into accusations. Lark berates Lachlan for assaulting and abducting her; Lachlan counters that she caused a deadly mess and wrecked a key contract, hinting at his boss’s reprisals. They argue over identity, hypocrisy, and blame, each probing the other’s weak points, attraction warring with contempt.
Lark reasserts boundaries, invoking loyalty to Sloane and Rowan. She declares the flirty “duchess” persona beheaded—“guillotine”—downs his whiskey, and returns inside. Lachlan follows, unsettled as Lark avoids him through dinner at Butcher & Blackbird and then disappears early, leaving him acutely aware that something in his world has shifted and dimmed.
Who Appears
- Lachlan KaneContract killer visiting Boston; instantly drawn to Lark, shares a fierce kiss, then clashes after mutual recognition.
- Lark MontagueSloane’s friend; flirts and kisses Lachlan, realizes he’s the Halloween diver, argues, then keeps distance for Sloane’s sake.
- Fionn KaneLachlan’s younger brother; greets him, banters, and becomes teasing fodder over a supposed crochet club.
- SloaneRowan’s partner; introduces Lark to Lachlan, senses tension, and prepares to leave for the restaurant opening.
- RoseInjured circus performer staying with Fionn; needles him about a crafting club, adding comic relief.
- AnnaFriend making drinks in the kitchen; part of the celebratory gathering.
- WinstonRowan and Sloane’s cat; perches with Lark, an amused, menacing presence.