Blame It On The Carols (Sugarplum Falls #6)

Fifteen | Aiden

Fifteen

Aiden

“S eriously, I got it from here. You guys can watch the perimeter. She’s safe inside with me,” I said for the fifteenth time to the bodyguards who had been assigned to Makayla.

They were obsessive and I could tell that she wasn’t a fan of them the way she rushed in and took Jackie up on her offer to help stock supplies in the back. We didn’t have anything that needed to be stocked, but it was a great excuse to get her away from them.

“We won’t be far,” the older one said, his voice gruff as he pushed his sunglasses back up his nose and turned to leave.

Why they were wearing sunglasses and black suits was beyond me. The whole point of getting someone down here to help with security was to keep her safe, not draw even more attention to her.

I closed the door and pulled my phone out of my pocket to call Curtis. By the second ring, he answered.

“Hey, I don’t want to sound like a dick because I’m grateful that you sent a security detail down here for Makayla, but can I ask what in the world you were thinking with sending those two?”

He laughed on the other end, which helped lighten my mood.

“Those guys aren’t her real detail. Her regular security team was unavailable, but I pulled a few strings yesterday, AKA I offered a huge holiday bonus, and two of them should be arriving today. I’ll send over their information here in a few, along with their travel details. For now, she’s going to have to deal with the other two until they’ve officially been relieved of duty.”

“Does she know about the change?”

“Not yet. I’ve been busting my ass all night and most of the morning to get things settled. I’ll send her a text here in a few to let her know.”

“Sounds good. Let me know if there’s anything you need from me in the meantime. She’s at the bar with me today so she can rehearse with the choir for the competition. I haven’t figured out things for this evening yet since I’m supposed to work, but I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

“Just go about business as usual. Her team is highly trained and knows what to do. Your best bet right now is to continue as if there isn’t a threat.”

“Easier said than done,” I said, shoving a hand through my hair.

“I know. But right now, that’s the best we can do. I’ll have my cell phone on if you guys need anything.”

“Thanks, Curtis.”

I hung up the phone and rolled my head on my neck as I tried to alleviate some of the mounting tension.

“Are they gone?” Makayla asked, coming back into the bar with Jackie behind her.

“They’re securing the perimeter outside. I told them to keep watch out there and that we have things covered in here.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“No problem.” I smiled as I glanced at the boxes Jackie had brought out this morning. “But since you’re here and the Sugarplum Sweethearts aren’t here to rehearse, I’m putting you to work.”

“Work?” she asked with a soft laugh. “I don’t want to brag or anything, but I can make a killer rum and Coke. Also, why am I not surprised they’re not here yet? I swear, my mom is the worst with being on time lately.”

“Not that kind of work.”

I folded my arms over my chest and enjoyed watching her squirm.

“Do you want me to clean?” She glanced around the room, relief on her face that it was already clean.

“Nope. You’re going to help us decorate.”

“Decorate?”

“For Christmas.”

Her brows pulled together as I walked over to the first box and opened it up. Inside were a handful of decorations that we put up every year. I pulled out the giant piece of artificial mistletoe and held it up.

“It’s still like three weeks until Christmas. Isn’t it a bit early?”

I heard Jackie gasp behind me and chuckled.

“Not in Sugarplum Falls. We’re technically a little behind on decorating, and since I don’t want to be the center of the town’s gossip, I figured we’d better get them up today.”

Makayla shook her head and grinned.

“I totally forgot how Christmas-obsessed this town is.”

“Do you not decorate this early in LA?” Jackie asked, grabbing another box and setting it on the floor.

“I, um, I don’t usually decorate.” Makayla scrunched her face as the words came out, this time earning her a gasp from both of us.

“You don’t decorate for Christmas?” I questioned, my head cocked to the side as I stared in disbelief.

“I don’t usually have time. Things are always so busy, and by the time I get home, it’s days before Christmas, and it just feels pointless to decorate when I’m the only one who would see it.”

“Do you spend the day by yourself too?” I pressed, not loving this at all.

She shrugged and looked away before answering.

“Sometimes. But my mom and I always FaceTime. So it’s not like I’m alone alone.”

“Makayla, Makayla, Makayla,” I said with a sigh.

“What?” She laughed, her eyes wide as she watched Jackie and me.

“That’s a big problem, but don’t worry. We know how to solve it.” I looked from her to Jackie, who nodded.

“Fix what?”

“I’ll call for reinforcements,” Jackie said, pulling her phone out of her pocket and making a call.

“Good call. I’ll reach out to Andi for help as well. Don’t worry, Makayla, we got you.”

“Got me for what? What’s going on?” I could hear the confusion in her voice but loved the way her face lit up with wonder.

“We’re going to remind you how we do Christmas in Sugarplum Falls.”