Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2
Leather & Lark
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Chapter Seven: Justice
Overview
Lark executes predator Patrick O’Neill, encasing him in resin for a “sparkly justice” trophy table. Steeling herself, she rides with Sloane to a courthouse elopement with Lachlan. Aunt Ethel publicly endorses the match with her heirloom ring. Lark and Lachlan marry, sealing a protective, strategic alliance with unexpected intimacy.
Summary
Lark spends her wedding morning exacting vigilante justice on Patrick O’Neill, a predatory teacher she baited online. In her factory studio, she restrains Patrick in a plexiglass casket and floods it with glittered epoxy, listing his victims as he drowns, planning to turn his body into a resin coffee table.
After finishing the kill, Lark prepares at her loft, masking anxiety with music and banter. Sloane arrives to drive her to Boston City Hall, pushing for answers about the sudden marriage to Lachlan. Lark refuses to explain, asking for trust and promising she can handle it, while Sloane vows retaliation if Lachlan harms her.
Outside city hall, they spot Aunt Ethel on Lachlan’s arm, enjoying the spectacle. Tense quips mask Lark and Lachlan’s mutual challenge as they enter. In the hallway, Ethel gifts Lark her own engagement ring, insisting Lark is “choosing love,” moving Lark to tears before Sloane fixes her makeup.
Called into the clerk’s office, Lark and Lachlan proceed with the civil ceremony, steady and unsentimental. They exchange vows and bands as Rowan FaceTimes family. At the kiss, Lachlan lingers, whispers in Irish, and kisses Lark with palpable longing, signaling dependence and resolve. Lark returns the kiss, committing to a protective alliance over personal desire.
Who Appears
- LarkProtagonist; kills predator Patrick O’Neill in resin, then elopes with Lachlan to protect loved ones.
- Lachlan KaneAssassin groom; arrives with Ethel, marries Lark in a courthouse ceremony, shares an intense, purposeful kiss.
- SloaneLark’s best friend; drives her, questions the sudden marriage, supports her while threatening Lachlan if he harms Lark.
- Aunt EthelLark’s ailing aunt; orchestrates public support, gifts her heirloom diamond ring as Lark’s “something old.”
- RowanLachlan’s brother; concerned observer, FaceTimes family during the ceremony.
- Patrick O’NeillPredatory teacher; Lark’s captive who is drowned in glittered resin for a trophy table.
- OfficiantCity clerk who conducts Lark and Lachlan’s brief civil wedding ceremony.