Dirty Law

As my thoughts started to spiral down that slippery, knife-infested slope that had been my home the past few months, I exhaled. I released the bad thoughts, the breath feeling like noxious gas. Releasing my grip, I stepped into the apartment. Getting over Morris wouldn’t be easy, but I had to start somewhere. Still, that didn’t mean I couldn’t bring my gun along for the ride.

I pulled out my .22 and walked to the couch, picking up the card like it was an explosive. It was cream colored and textured with no identifying features. Just as I was about to open the card, my phone rang. My heart skipped a beat when I saw who was calling and I stumbled, nearly dropping my gun and the card.

“Hello?” I asked, answering on the first ring.

“Did you get my flowers?” Law’s heady, deep brogue was evident even through the crackle of my shitty phone.

I glanced around my apartment. “You sent these? Why?”

“I’m trying to apologize, Nami.” I frowned even though I knew he couldn’t see it. The flowers were extraordinary and breathtaking, but they were just flowers.

“You think a couple of flowers can fix us?” I whispered the words because I almost didn’t want him to hear. I wanted to say I loved the flowers. I wanted to say I was ready to trust him again. I wanted to throw all the shit and garbage that had piled up between us out the window and just roll around in the dandelions.

“No.” Law paused for a minute. “But they’re a start.” I picked up a fully formed dandelion. Its head was round and wispy. Where had Law gotten so many? I thought they were beautiful, but most considered them a weed—not to mention it was the dead of winter in Utah. I blew the head, watching the wisps float away.

“It must have taken a while to get these,” I said at last.

“It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.” I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Over and over again Law had said I was worth something. When I felt useless, he showed me I was useful. Still, a glare the size of an eclipse hung over our relationship, and its name was Morris. Law had lied about so many things, I wasn’t sure where to begin unraveling. “Nami, let me show you something. Let me prove to you that I’m in this.”

“I don’t know…” My fingers trailed across the flowers.

“I’ll pick you up in thirty. Dress for cold weather.” Law hung up the phone, leaving me with that cryptic statement. I was ready to huff and sigh, ready to forget him along with his secrets, when I remembered the letter in my hand. I opened the card and read.

Dandelions for my Dandelion. I would pick a thousand of these everyday if it showed you how much you’re worth.

“So what is this? A kidnapping?” I asked as Law opened the door of his Range Rover for me with a grin. I slid inside, frowning.

“Do you know of many kidnappings that start out like this?” Law shut the door and made his way to the driver’s seat. “I’d be a pretty shitty kidnapper if I let you know where we were going first.”

“You haven’t told me where we’re going,” I pointed out.

Law started the engine and pulled away from the curb. “Boston.”

“Boston?” I rounded on him. “What the fuck is in Boston?” When he’d said, “Dress for cold weather,” I’d thought he was taking me up to Park City. A thirty-minute drive, a romantic cabin—something to go along with the huge display of dandelions. I’d even worn some lingerie. Well, what I considered lingerie: black underwear.

Seriously, what the fuck was in Boston?

“Red Sox,” Law replied, taking the exit for the airport.

I glared out at the gray-white moving picture. “I’ve survived this far without baseball.”

I’d let myself get excited about the idea of a romantic getaway with Law. I knew we had a mountain of issues to work past, but if Law was willing to try… I exhaled and removed my gaze from the window. We were nearing the airport and whatever was in Boston had my attention now. More cryptic crap.

“There’s more to Boston than baseball,” Law said, placing his hand on my thigh.

“Oh yeah?” I replied, my snark getting the better of me. “What’s that?”

“My past.”

Since meeting Law, thorns had formed in my side, thorns borne from his lies. Since the altercation with Becca Riley, though, it felt like Law was methodically attempting to remove them. He told me his truths, and then ripped the lies from their place without any anesthetic.

Still, one thorn remained: Jameson.

“So…” I said, turning my view from the airplane window to Law. “Will this trip explain how you know Jameson?”

Law took a sip of his bourbon and faced me. I’d never flown so nicely. In first class, we were given complim

entary drinks, towels—basically anything our hearts desired. I’d taken a bottle of water and Law had ordered a glass of bourbon I couldn’t pronounce. Then again, most of my whiskey came with a sale sticker.