Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2
Leather & Lark
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Prologue: Ignite
Overview
Lark confronts Andrew for cheating and, more critically, for preying on underage girls. She stages a brutal, theatrical execution with fireworks before delivering a fatal gunshot. Amid the violence, Lark recalls Ashborne’s predation and Sloane killing Mr. Verdon, solidifying her personal crusade against predators.
Summary
Lark restrains Andrew in a meadow, taping his mouth and strapping fireworks to his groin. Though she mentions his affair with Savannah, she reveals the real motive: Andrew’s predatory messages to underage girls. She declares this is about consequences, not apologies or reconciliation.
As Lark prepares the fuse, she reflects on Ashborne Collegiate Institute, recalling pervasive abuse and the artistic director, Mr. Laurent Verdon, whose death she regrets not causing herself. She notes that her best friend Sloane bears that burden, fueling Lark’s vow: never again.
Lark amplifies the spectacle with music, lights the fuse, and retreats to the trees. Andrew’s screams mix with exploding fireworks until the display ends, leaving him burned and barely alive. Lark feels no guilt—only relief and a sense of power for exposing and destroying a predator.
Hearing Andrew moan, Lark returns, draws a gun, and ends his life with a single shot. She leaves the scene feeling invincible, her resolve against predators crystallized by both her past at Ashborne and Sloane’s lethal act against Verdon.
Who Appears
- LarkNarrator and vigilante; exposes Andrew’s predation, stages a fireworks torture, and kills him, reaffirming her vow: never again.
- AndrewLark’s boyfriend; revealed predator and cheater. Tortured with fireworks, then executed with a gunshot.
- SloaneLark’s best friend; previously killed Mr. Verdon, a burden Lark wishes she bore.
- Mr. Laurent VerdonAshborne’s artistic director; predator whose death haunts Lark via Sloane’s actions.
- SavannahFriend Andrew slept with; initial betrayal that leads Lark to uncover worse crimes.