Grin Read Online Free Page A

that month. Now, artwork adorned the walls, the shelves devoid of Lego and replaced with module books and research material. Dennis never really understood his daughter, but he'd raised her on family values and as a result, she had a deep sense of discipline and respect. He trusted his daughter to put family and career before anything else, including boys, and he was one of the few fathers who knew his daughter would honour that.
    He smiled, proud.
    Dennis gazed at Dani, her pink pyjama legs riding her calves to reveal dark, olive skin, a gene from his own family tree. Her white t-shirt only contrasted against her smooth arms, again dark with an Italian heritage; one he rarely discussed but knew existed. Her hair was in a towel, a single wet lock hung over her left ear, damp from a recent shower. The smell of her candy shower gel, a recent birthday present, still lingered in the air.
    Dani looked up, still typing. "Hey, Dad."
    "Hey."
    "Everything alright?"
    "Yeah, just saying goodnight. It's been a long day."
    "Night." Dani broke eye contact and returned to her work.
    Dennis gulped, but didn’t move. Dani, aware of his presence, continued typing. "What?"
    "I'm so proud of you," Dennis said, feeling a little foolish. He walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "You know that, don’t you?"
    "Sure." Dani smiled. She looked up at her father. The radiance from her innocent smile sent a warm tremble of pride through Dennis's heart. "I know you are, Dad, you tell me all the time."
    "Well, it's because I am. So much."
    "And I'm proud of you."
    "Why?"
    "For bringing me and doucheface up."
    "Your brother's name is Teddy."
    "Yeah, that's what I said, doucheface." Dani chuckled. "You brought us up; you married the coolest woman in the world. You have reason to be proud too. I know people whose parents combined didn’t possess one parental gene. You're awesome, Dad."
    "Good. I'm glad you know that."
    "I do."
    A silence settled between them. Dennis stood up, kissed Dani on the forehead and walked away. He paused, turned back and held out his hand. "Here, I want you to have this."
    Dani looked up, frowning. "What is it?"
    "It's my key. To the BMW."
    "What?"
    "I got a spare made. I want you to learn how to drive…at some point. When you pass, the car is yours."
    "Seriously? You're giving me a BMW?" Dani took the black fob with the blue and white logo on it and twirled it between her fingers. She smiled, her eyes widening in bewilderment.
    "You earned it."
    Dani leapt from her bed and hugged her father. "Thank you, Daddy."
    "You’re very welcome. Just remember, you earned it."
    "Coolest father ever! " Dani returned to her bed, a huge grin on her face. 
    "Don’t be up too late." Dennis turned away and left the room. Dani watched him go, biting her lip in excitement. After a second, she climbed back on the bed and returned to her work. She glanced at her clock. It was a little before midnight. She checked her phone.
    Still no text from Ben.
    Arsehole . She placed the BMW key beside her phone.
    "One more hour."
    Dani resumed typing.

FOUR
 
Ross Rhodes sat at his expensive oak desk, his feet up and crossed, watching the wall mounted TV that sat above his grand fireplace. The remote was in his hand, aimed in no particular direction. His dark eyes were on the headline that was flashing across the bottom of the screen.
    BREAKING: Multiple gunshot victim survives assault.
    According to the graphics, a plucky, redheaded reporter, with too much Botox and not enough cleavage, was interviewing a Detective Inspector Scott. Her forehead was enormous and her technique brash and naïve. The DI was revealing minimal details about the crime. All he knew was that the victim, a talented Italian chef from Soho, survived a shooting attempt, leaving him paralysed, but alive. He also suffered traumatic injuries to his face and body. A huge amount of rehab was expected and no further details were available. After a moment, he sidled away as the