The Name of the Game Read Online Free PDF Page A

Maddie’s rehab after the accident, so they’d been near destitute. Shane had taken on all the burdens of their family, working himself to the bone, until he became insanely successful. Most people only saw the man he was today; they had no idea how hard those early years had been. Or how tirelessly Shane had worked to hold it all together.
    James marveled at his brother’s strength and determination. He’d used it as a model for turning his own life around. Sure, he’d never be rich like Shane and Evan, but he was well respected in his profession. He had the admiration of his peers, law enforcement agencies all over the country hired him as a consultant, and he had secured tenure at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. In the world of academia he was at the top of his field. James owed that to Shane, who’d paid for college, put food on the table, and kept their family together and thriving.
    If Shane wanted him here, James wasn’t going to let a blond-haired vixen get in his way.
    And then said vixen walked down the stairs and knocked the wind right out of him.
    Maddie whistled—a long, low, wolfish sound. “Damn, Gracie, you look like a dominatrix.”
    James couldn’t help but agree, and could only stare at her in stunned silence.
    Gracie’s black minidress molded to every curve of her body, clung to her waist and hips as though it was painted on, and ended so high on her thighs James started to sweat. The plunging neckline displayed a jaw-dropping amount of cleavage and Cecilia had been right when she’d said it would give people a heart attack. James’s heart pumped so hard he was in an anaerobic state. Matched with black knee-high boots, red lips, and wild, blond curls, she did, in fact, look quite formidable.
    â€œSee, I told you it would fit,” Cecilia said, her voice smug with satisfaction.
    Gracie ran a hand down her stomach, and shifted in her boots. “There isn’t room to spare, even with the spandex.”
    James lost track of what they were saying, unable to tear his attention away from the woman in front of him. She looked so delicious, so unbelievably sexy, he’d have to beat the men away with a stick. James frowned. He shouldn’t be having those thoughts.
    She didn’t belong to him and never would.
    â€œWhat are you looking at?” Gracie demanded, breaking into his inappropriate thoughts.
    â€œWhat?” he asked stupidly.
    She straightened her shoulders and put her hands on her hips. “You’re wearing that disapproving look you have. If you don’t like the dress, blame your sister-in-law, not me.”
    He stiffened as everyone turned toward him with speculation on their faces. Unlike Gracie, James hated being the center of attention. That’s why he wanted a nice, quiet girl who hated scenes as much as he did. He shook his head. “You’re paranoid.”
    Maddie shrugged. “Well, you were kind of glaring at her.”
    James narrowed a dangerous gaze on his sister. The little traitor. “I was thinking about something that had nothing to do with her. She happened to be in my line of vision.”
    Shane chuckled and Cecilia gave him a little nudge.
    â€œHa! See, she saw it too. It’s not in my imagination.” Gracie punctuated each word with a jab of her finger in his direction.
    He gritted his teeth and thought about his plan to be agreeable this weekend. He prided himself on discipline and follow-through. They were the cornerstones of his life. Plus, an experiment was only sound if testing was conducted properly. Yes, she was a challenge, but a little challenge built character. She would not get the best of him.
    He gave her his most pleasant smile, the one he reserved for alumni parties when faced with a large donor to the university. “You look quite nice, Gracie.”
    â€œWhatever! I don’t need your approval.” She flounced away and a second