Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2
Leather & Lark
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Chapter Thirteen: Network
Overview
Lark tends to a worsening Ethel, then meets Leander Mayes with Lachlan to formalize Leviathan terms. Lark negotiates a $600k retainer, unlimited office access, four jobs yearly, and a bonus tied to avenging Ethel. Ethel’s spiked muffins knock Leander out, letting Lark and Lachlan quietly start investigating Bob Foster through bank records.
Summary
Lark struggles to write while reflecting on Lachlan’s care and his lack of apology. Visiting Ethel, Lark witnesses a harsh coughing fit and calls for medical help; a doctor orders IV pain relief and antibiotics, underscoring Ethel’s decline. Ethel requests candy, secretly texts Lachlan the address, and insists Lark go meet Leander Mayes with a box of fresh muffins.
At Mayes’s estate, Lachlan greets Lark warily and warns her about Leander. In the basement, Leander theatrically greets them at gunpoint before lowering the weapon. Lark presents Ethel’s muffins and immediately presses into negotiations: one contract now with full retainer and immediate job initiation; the second contract after completion so Lachlan can retire.
Leander counters on price and workload, while Lachlan tries to protect his exit. Lark secures terms: $600,000 retainer, unlimited office access, four jobs a year, plus a $100,000 bonus if the aggressor threatening the Montagues is identified and killed before Ethel dies. They sign and wire funds.
As Leander rises to leave, he collapses—Ethel’s muffins were drugged. Lachlan confirms he’s alive and gapes at Lark’s revelation. With Leander safely out for hours, Lark leads Lachlan to the secure office building, passing biometric security to access Leviathan’s systems.
Inside, they coordinate on approach: use aggregated databases, escalating to costly sources if needed. Lark briefly searches a Louis Campbell, then pivots to Ethel’s rival, Bob Foster, pulling his file and planning to analyze bank records for recurring payments aligning with the murders. United, Lark and Lachlan begin the hunt.
Who Appears
- Lark KaneProtagonist; negotiates Leviathan terms, orchestrates access via drugged muffins, and initiates investigation into Bob Foster’s finances to protect her family.
- Lachlan KaneLeander’s enforcer and Lark’s husband; protective at Mayes’s, supports negotiation, handles security, and partners with Lark to search records.
- Leander MayesCrime boss; greets them with a gun, bargains hard, agrees to $600k retainer and four jobs, then is knocked out by Ethel’s spiked muffins.
- Ethel MontagueLark’s ailing aunt; suffers a worsening cough, slyly provides drugged muffins, and pushes Lark toward action against their aggressor.