Page 84 of Full Throttle

“Didn’t make it that far.” She nodded at his hand. “You want to talk about it?”

“Not really.” Dominic paused. “I’m sorry about my father.”

Juliette’s expression was shadowed. “Is he always like that?”

“No.” Dominic offered her a wry smile. “Normally he’s much worse.” He rubbed at his forehead. “What he said about Ranya…I’m sorry. That was fucked up. They’ve never seen eye-to-eye, but that doesn’t excuse it.”

“No,” Juliette said. “It doesn’t.”

A breeze blew through the alleyway, and Juliette shivered. Goosebumps pimpled her arms. She was obviously freezing, although he knew she’d rather develop frostbite than admit to it. He held out his phone.

“I have Cap’s number. If you want to try him.”

Juliette nodded. “Thank you.” She scrolled through his contacts, raising the phone to her ear. “Baz has my keys, but the two of them should be together…”

The phone rang three times. No answer. Juliette frowned. She punched a button, then shifted the phone to her other ear.

More ringing.

Juliette tried twice more. She was grinding the toe of her pink boot into the ground, a nervous habit that Dominic had first observed at the academy, whenever she was about to take an exam. A lump rose in his throat.

She held out the phone. “He’s not answering.”

Dominic didn’t take it. “Do you want to try Baz?”

“Can’t.” Juliette’s smile was rueful. “I don’t have his number memorized. But it’s fine.” She placed the phone firmly in his hand. “I’ll walk to my sister’s place. She should be back from her date soon.”

Dominic raised an eyebrow. “Where does Rosaline live?”

Juliette blinked. He couldn’t tell what she was surprised by: the fact that he remembered her sister’s name, or the fact that he cared enough to ask. “Balham.”

Dominic stared. “That’s three hours away.”

She shrugged. “I walk quickly. It’s more like two.”

Heaven help him. This girl. “You can’t even use your phone for directions.”

“I can ask people.”

Dominic clenched his hands, then winced as his knuckles gave a painful throb. “Why wouldn’t you take a cab?”

To his surprise, Juliette looked slightly sheepish. “I didn’t bring my wallet. I was using my phone to pay for things.”

Dominic cast his eyes skyward. It was just like Juliette, he reflected, to be wandering around in central London at night without any form of backup plan. “Here.” He dug in his wallet. “I’ll lend you some.”

“No.” Juliette took a large step back, holding up her hands as if he were offering her a lit stick of dynamite. “I’m not taking your money.”

Exasperation filled him. “Then what do you suggest we do?” A thought occurred, and the words were out of his mouth before he could think better of it. “Why don’t you come to my place?”

Juliette stared. “What?”

“My flat’s just round the corner,” Dominic said, pocketing his wallet. “You can change into dry clothes and try ringing your brother again. Cap knows where I live. He can drop off your keys.”

Juliette eyed him warily. “I thought you lived in Paris.”

Dominic swallowed. He was painfully aware of what she’d just avoided saying: I’ve been to your Paris flat. I lived there for a time. “I have two. I bought this one a few months ago. I used to stay with my father in Kent, but after what happened at the start of the season…” He hesitated. “We decided it would be better to live apart.”

Juliette nibbled her bottom lip. “I see.”