Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2
Leather & Lark
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Chapter Four: Germinate
Overview
The Phantom, a religiously driven stalker, breaks into Rowan Kane and Sloane Sutherland’s apartment during a planned absence. After confirming their routines and desires, he chooses Lark Montague as the prime target and intends to make her destruction appear to be Lachlan Kane’s fault, escalating looming danger for all.
Summary
The chapter shifts to the Phantom’s POV as he picks the lock and enters Rowan Kane and Sloane Sutherland’s apartment during their tattoo appointment window. He surveys the familiar space he has long watched, restraining violent impulses when their cat confronts him.
Stepping onto the balcony, the Phantom recalls observing Rowan and Sloane’s intimate routines, then frames his mission through scripture-fueled vengeance. He identifies Rowan as the “Boston Butcher,” Sloane as the “Orb Weaver,” and fixates on Rowan’s assassin brother, Lachlan, and on Lark Montague, Sloane’s best friend and a singer.
Examining framed photos, the Phantom notes Lachlan’s charged gaze toward Lark at Rowan’s restaurant opening, interpreting mutual anger and desire. He decides the worst punishment is not death but living with loss.
The Phantom formulates a plan: target Lark to inflict maximum suffering on Rowan and Sloane and ensure any aftermath implicates Lachlan. Declaring “Step one: Destabilize,” he leaves, committed to a campaign of pain that will pit them against each other.
Who Appears
- The PhantomReligiously zealous stalker who breaks in, reveals deep surveillance, and plans to destroy Lark while framing Lachlan.
- Lark MontagueSinger and Sloane’s best friend; chosen as the Phantom’s target to devastate the group.
- Lachlan KaneAssassin and Rowan’s brother; the Phantom intends to make Lark’s downfall appear to be his fault.
- Rowan KaneThe “Boston Butcher”; lives with Sloane. His home is infiltrated and his routines documented.
- Sloane SutherlandThe “Orb Weaver”; cohabits with Rowan. Central to the Phantom’s surveillance and vengeance plan.
- CatRowan and Sloane’s cat; confronts the intruder, highlighting his restrained violent urges.