Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2
Leather & Lark
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Chapter Four: Germinate
Overview
The Phantom breaks into Rowan Kane and Sloane Sutherland’s apartment during their absence, confirming routines and relationships he has surveilled. Interpreting divine sanction, he fixates on Lark Montague as the lever to wound Rowan, Sloane, and Lachlan Kane. He resolves to destroy Lark and frame Lachlan, initiating a destabilization plan.
Summary
While Rowan Kane and Sloane Sutherland are out at a scheduled tattoo appointment, the Phantom picks their lock and enters their apartment. He confirms his surveillance notes, having tracked their habits and obtained restaurant schedules to map routines.
Encountering their cat, the Phantom restrains violent impulses by reciting scripture, framing his mission as divinely mandated. He surveys the balcony where he has often watched Rowan and Sloane and recalls witnessing a charged encounter between Lachlan Kane and Lark Montague on the restaurant’s opening night.
Examining framed photos, the Phantom studies Rowan, Sloane, Lark, and Lachlan together, interpreting Lachlan’s attention toward Lark as desire. He concludes the most effective punishment for Rowan, Sloane, and Lachlan is not death but living loss: to take from them what they most cherish.
Fixating on Lark as “the singer” and Sloane’s near-sister, the Phantom devises a plan to cause maximum suffering—destroy Lark and ensure anyone left believes Lachlan is responsible. He frames this as righteous retribution and a strategic first step: destabilization.
Having set his intent, the Phantom leaves the apartment, codifying his eye-for-an-eye mission and inaugurating a campaign aimed at Lark to wound all three targets while tainting Lachlan with blame.
Who Appears
- The PhantomReligious zealot and stalker; breaks into Rowan and Sloane’s home, finalizes a plan to destroy Lark and frame Lachlan.
- Lark MontagueIdentified as the prime target; viewed as Sloane’s near-sister and Lachlan’s desire, key to the Phantom’s plan.
- Lachlan KaneAssassin observed desiring Lark; the Phantom plans to implicate him in Lark’s future harm.
- Rowan KaneResident of the infiltrated apartment; the Phantom intends to hurt him through Lark’s suffering.
- Sloane SutherlandResident and Lark’s closest friend; her bond to Lark makes her vulnerable to the Phantom’s scheme.
- CatRowan and Sloane’s pet; hisses at the Phantom, briefly testing his self-control.