Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2
Leather & Lark
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Chapter Nineteen: Exposed
Overview
After believing Lachlan abandoned her post-show, Lark breaks down before he confronts her and they reconcile. They confirm forgiveness and escalate their charged power dynamic in a risky bathroom scene that Xander interrupts. Leaving together, they’re unsettled when Abe approaches Lark, quotes scripture, and pointedly calls her “Miss Montague,” signaling growing external threat.
Summary
After her KEX performance, Lark can’t find Lachlan, interprets his absence as abandonment, and breaks down in the backstage bathroom. Lachlan bursts in, revealing he was waiting in the dressing room and had texted her. They confront the onstage remote incident, confirm Lark’s forgiveness, and acknowledge the possessive charge between them.
Their tension turns physical as Lachlan commands Lark to show him the hidden toy, testing boundaries with explicit consent checks and safe words. He refuses to have their first full intercourse in a bar bathroom, pushing Lark to climax with the toy while reinforcing their mutual desire and control dynamic.
Xander inadvertently walks in, and Lachlan furiously ejects him, exposing Lachlan’s jealousy. Lark and Lachlan recompose; he reassures her appearance, and they decide to leave together, with Lark grabbing her instruments first.
Onstage, while collecting gear, Lark meets Abe, the man from Lachlan’s shop. Abe flatters her cello playing, cites scripture about joyful noise, and, with a flat smile, thanks “Miss Montague” for the inspiration before leaving. The exchange unsettles Lark and foreshadows a personal, possibly religiously tinged threat encroaching on their investigation.
Who Appears
- Lark (Miss Montague)Performs at KEX, fears abandonment, reconciles with Lachlan, explores risky consent-checked play, unsettled by Abe recognizing her true name.
- LachlanWas waiting to leave with Lark; confirms forgiveness; orchestrates an intense bathroom scene; displays jealousy; plans to take Lark home.
- AbeApproaches Lark post-show, quotes scripture, calls her “Miss Montague,” delivering a veiled, ominous acknowledgment.
- XanderBandmate who accidentally walks in on Lark and Lachlan, provoking Lachlan’s protective anger.