Free Under Control by Em Petrova Page B

halt, and she quickly paid her fare and gave the driver a big tip. Then she hopped out and strode toward the coffee bar. She and Blaine had come here often because one of his old friends was a barista. With any luck, the woman would be working right now.
    As soon as Jayla entered and caught a deep whiff of coffee-scented air, she drew gumption up from the soles of her boots. She had more acting to do, and this time she would play a victim of the media.
    When it was her turn in line, she smiled at the woman behind the thick granite counter. “Hi, Abby.”
    Shock crossed her features, followed by a jerk of awareness. Maybe she’d been tracked down by the cops and questioned too. “I don’t want to talk about any of it, Jayla. I just want to work in peace.”
    Jayla spread her fingers over her chest. “Oh my, you aren’t thinking I’m here to… God, no. I can’t wait to get away from that crap! The cops have been on my back for days.”
    She looked at her warily. “What are you doing here?”
    “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop for a coffee. I can’t believe you’re working this shift!”
    “Well…okay. What can I get you?”
    She placed her order, and Abby moved to gather a paper cup and write her name on it. Jayla tugged on her earlobe. Since the blast, she’d discovered that tugging her ear helped lessen the ringing. While she watched Abby create a thick foam over her drink and add a lid, she thought of her next move.
    Most of what she’d done so far was off the cuff. But she had to watch she didn’t slip and ask questions about Blaine.
    “Here you go.” Abby passed the cup over the counter.
    She smiled widely. “Thank you. You make the best coffees. I’m so glad I ran into you today.” Leaning over the counter, she pitched her voice low. “What a mess I was in. What I need is a good dose of caffeine to soothe my nerves. You can’t believe the crap the media and cops were putting out there. God, you’d think I’m a Kardashian or something.”
    Abby blinked. “You mean you didn’t tell the police all those things?”
    She gave a short laugh. “I can’t keep up with all that was leaked to the press, but I do know that two interviews I read were completely wrong.” She couldn’t help but wonder if Gabriel and Joey would be surprised by her skill with lying. It was probably best if she kept it from them.
    Right now, they were probably devising ways to get her back and deliver that spanking Gabriel promised.
    “I don’t believe all that’s being said about Blaine,” she whispered. “He’s such a good guy. I don’t have to tell you how upset I was when we broke up, but I don’t wish anything bad on him.”
    “I hear you,” Abby said, tilting her hip to rest against the counter and talk.
    Jayla took a sip of her coffee. It was good, but she made a show of savoring it. When she opened her eyes, she pitched her voice low. “Have you…seen him at all?”
    Abby shook her head. “I think he’s gone into hiding. I have no idea, because our mutual friends haven’t heard from him at all either. A group of us thinks he’s trying to clear his name.”
    “I hope he’s not putting himself in danger.” She opened her eyes wide in mock concern.
    Abby was sucked right in. “He’s pretty smart. He knows he can’t go home or go to work. They’ll be watching those places, waiting to catch him.” Shaking her head ruefully, she said, “I hate that this is happening to him.”
    “And to me. I had to come clear across town to get a coffee without people harassing me with questions.” She’d gotten a few tidbits of information—enough, maybe. He hadn’t been going home, but she had no delusions that he was trying to clear his name. No, he was probably hunkered down, plotting his next fire or bomb.
    A shiver of unease ran down her spine and seemed to freeze the blood in her veins. She took a fortifying sip of coffee. “If you hear from him, maybe you’ll give me a call? I think