Outside, she downed two aspirin and chased them with antacids as she waited for the bail to be processed. Physically, she thought, Gloria had changed. The once astonishingly pretty girl had hardened, toughened like dried leather. But emotionally, Sybill feared, she was exactly the same unhappy, manipulative, and disturbed child that had taken dark joy in disrupting their home.

She would insist that Gloria agree to therapy, she decided. And if drug abuse was part of the problem, she would see to it that Gloria went into rehab. Certainly the woman she’d just spoken with wasn’t capable of taking custody of a young boy. She would explore the possibilities of what was best for him until Gloria was back on track.

She would need to see a lawyer, of course. First thing in the morning she would find a lawyer and discuss Gloria’s rights and Seth’s welfare.

She would have to face the Quinns.

The thought of that had her stomach clutching again. A confrontation was inevitable, unavoidable. Nothing left her feeling more miserable and vulnerable than angry words and hateful emotions.

But she would be prepared. She would take the time to think through what had to be said, anticipate their questions and demands so she would have the proper responses. She would, above all, remain calm and objective.

When she saw Phillip walk into the building, her mind went blank. Every ounce of color drained out of her face. She stood frozen when his gaze whipped to hers, when it narrowed and hardened.

“What are you doing here, Sybill?”

“I . . .” It wasn’t panic that spurted through her but embarrassment. Shame. “I had business.”

“Really?” He stepped closer, while his brothers stood back in speculative silence. He saw it in her face—guilt and more than a little fear. “What kind of business would that be?” When she didn’t answer, he angled his head. “What’s Gloria DeLauter to you, Dr. Griffin?”

She ordered herself to keep her gaze steady, her voice even. “She’s my sister.”

His fury was ice cold and deadly. He balled his hands into his pockets to keep from using them in a way that was unforgivable. “That’s cozy, isn’t it? You bitch,” he said softly, but she flinched as if he had struck her. “You used me to get to Seth.”

She shook her head, but she couldn’t voice the denial. It was true, wasn’t it? She had used him, had used all of them. “I only wanted to see him. He’s my sister’s son. I had to know he was being cared for.”

“Then where the hell have you been for the last ten years?”

She opened her mouth, but swallowed the excuses and explanations as Gloria was led out.

“Let’s get the hell out of here. You buy me a drink, Syb.” Gloria hitched a cherry-red shoulder bag over her arm, aimed an invitational smile at Phillip. “We’ll talk all you want. Hi, there, handsome.” She shifted her weight, put a fist on her hip, and let the smile spread to the other men. “How’s it going?”