Page 2 of Death in the New Year

“I have a few ideas for you. Somewhere romantic, full of history, beaches, beautiful scenery, and wonderful food.”

“Well, that narrows it down,” frowned Nine. Suzette shook her head and laughed at the men.

“Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Singapore, Australia. Pick one. Pick one and you plan it. All of it. Don’t make them do a damn thing. If you need help, any of us will help you. Sly and I won’t be going because we’ve been smart enough to take a few vacations together.”

“Thanks, Suzette,” smirked Wilson. “Italy would be cool. Great food, tons of history, ruins, it could be fun.”

“Or Greece,” said Ghost. “Athens is amazing. I know Grace would love to go there.”

“Nothing says that we can’t go separately,” said Antoine.

“No,” said Trak resolutely. “No. We go together. They might not say it, but the wives like being around one another. They need it.”

“Okay. Okay, Trak is right,” said Nine. “Tomorrow, let’s try to figure out some dates and see what we can come up with. Do we all agree a Valentine’s trip is what we’re shooting for?”

“Agreed,” said the men.

“Agreed to what?” asked Erin, smirking at the men.

“Oh, that we’re going to try and take fewer cases this year,” said Nine. Erin stared at them, then burst out laughing. “Is that funny?”

“Babe, I’ve known you forever. None of you are going to stop doing what you’re doing. Don’t worry. We understand, and we love y’all anyway. Oh, gosh, you guys are so cute sometimes. Fewer cases and missions,” she laughed. “That’s just too funny. Dinner’s almost ready. Please get washed up.”

Erin walked away, stopping to speak with Grace, Faith, Lauren, Alexandra, and Noelle. As she spoke, the women broke into laughter, shaking their heads as they stared at the men.

“They really don’t believe we’ll slow down,” said Nine.

“I wouldn’t believe it either,” said Gaspar. “We’ve made that promise a million times over the years and look at us now. We have more cases, more requests, more jobs than ever before. We lied to them. All of them, and I don’t like it one bit.”

“Same,” said Trak. “I always said I would be honest with Lauren about everything. This is the only thing I’ve ever lied to her about, and I didn’t even realize I was lying to her. I thought I was doing something that would protect her. She deserves this trip and so much more.” Ian nodded at all the men.

“Then I say we make this one helluva trip.”

“Emeralds. They’re beautiful,” smiled Erin, staring at the earrings Faith was wearing.

“Erin, I love you, but they’re almost identical to the ones he bought me five years ago.” Faith chuckled, shaking her head.

She felt terrible at not loving the gift, but she’d left so many hints it was pathetic. In his stack of reading material in their bathroom, she’d left five magazines about travel and cruises. On the coffee table were four books about ancient history. And twice, she’d turned on documentaries about traveling with your spouse to romantic locations.

“I know what you mean,” nodded Erin. “I feel awful for not gushing over the diamond bracelet, but I have seven diamond bracelets. Seven, you guys. It’s wonderful. They’re wonderful and beautiful and all the things, but I never once asked for jewelry. I feel like he’s just doing what’s easy.”

“Same,” nodded Lauren. “I had a travel show playing on the television for almost two weeks straight every time he came home, a travel magazine next to the bed, I asked for new luggage, and even bought a book on how to learn Italian and French.”

“And nothing?” frowned Grace.

“Nothing,” she frowned.

“I bought a case of Italian wine and told Pierre we should try a new bottle every week, just to see what we might like. I made charcuterie boards, played Italian arias, even tried playing French music. Anything, something!”

“Nothing?” asked Ella.

“Nada.”

“Well, maybe we need to just plan it,” said Grace.

“NO!” said Erin. “No, absolutely not. They need to figure this out on their own and plan it all. If we do all the planning, all the reservations, all the packing, everything, like we always do, how is that a relaxing trip for us?”

“That’s true,” said Rose. “I love Baptiste more than anything in the world, but sometimes he acts like he isn’t the capable, powerful man that I know he is. Anything we’ve ever done together I’ve been the one that planned it. Dinners, movies, trips into the city. Heck, I plan trips up the road! This has to change.”

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