“Fine.” Phillip took her arm. “Let’s just step outside and cause one.”

She held her ground, partly out of fear, partly common sense. “We’ll meet tomorrow, at whatever time is convenient for you. I’ll bring her to my hotel.”

“You keep her out of St. Chris.”

Sybill winced when Phillip’s fingers tightened on her arm. “All right. Where do you suggest?”

“I’ll tell you what I suggest,” Cam began, but Phillip held up a hand.

“Princess Anne. You bring her into Anna’s office at Social Services. Nine o’clock. That keeps everything official, doesn’t it? Everything aboveboard.”

“Yes.” Relief trickled through her. “I can agree to that. I’ll bring her. You have my word.”

“I wouldn’t give you two cents for your word, Sybill.” Phillip leaned in slightly. “But if you don’t bring her, we’ll find her. Meanwhile, if either of you tries to get within a mile of Seth, you’ll both be spending time in a cell.” He dropped her arm and stepped back.

“We’ll be there at nine,” she said, resisting the urge to rub her aching arm. Then she turned and went into the bathroom to get her sister.

“Why the hell did you agree to that?” Cam demanded as he stalked outside behind Phillip. “We’ve got her, here and now.”

“We’ll get more out of her tomorrow.”

“Bullshit.”

“Phillip’s right.” As much as he detested it, Ethan accepted the change of plans. “We keep it in official surroundings. We keep our heads. It’s better for Seth.”

“Why? So his bitch of a mother and his lying auntie have more time to put their heads together? Christ, when I think Sybill was alone with Seth for a good hour today, I want to—”

“It’s done,” Phillip snapped. “He’s fine. We’re fine.” With fury bubbling through his blood, he slammed into the Jeep. “And there are five of us. They won’t get their hands on Seth.”

“He didn’t recognize her,” Ethan pointed out. “That’s funny, isn’t it? He didn’t know who Sybill was.”

“Neither did I,” Phillip murmured and shoved the Jeep into gear. “But I do now.”

SYBILL’S PRIORITY WAS to get Gloria a hot meal, keep her calm, and question her carefully. The little Italian restaurant was only a few blocks from the police station, and after a hurried glance, Sybill decided it would fill the bill.

“My nerves are shot to hell.” Gloria puffed greedily on a cigarette while Sybill maneuvered into a parking spot. “The nerve of those bastards, coming after me like that. You know what they’d have done if I’d been alone, don’t you?”

Sybill only sighed and stepped out of the car. “You need to eat.”

“Yeah, sure.” Gloria sniffed at the decor the minute they stepped inside. It was bright and cheerful, with colorful Italian pottery, thick candles, striped tablecloths, and decorative bottles of herbed vinegars. “I’d rather have a steak than Wop food.”

“Please.” Forcing back irritation, she took Gloria’s arm and requested a table for two.

“Smoking section,” Gloria added, already pulling out another cigarette as they were led to the noisier bar area. “Gin and tonic, a double.”