Noting that his laugh did not reach his eyes, Lola unfolded the parchment Mr King slid towards her, her eyes scanning the contents quickly.<br/><br/><em><strong>"Lola's policy isn't my concern.  As this establishment won't be Lola's much longer."</strong></em><br/><br/>The paper shook in her hands, and she couldn't tear her eyes away from the official looking document.  Lola wondered idly if it could be a fake, but something about the big man's demeanor told her it was genuine, and he was her new landlord.<br/><br/><em><strong>"I purchased the ground this place sits upon. That makes this establishment an intrusion on my property.  I am well within my rights as a land owner to demand Lola's removal, but there are other options.  After all, I'm not an animal.  I'm quite certain we can work out some sort of bargain."</strong></em><br/><br/>Her blood ran cold at his words.  Glancing up just in time to see his hungry eyes roam her small frame, she shuddered involuntarily as his gaze revealed the monster within. For the first time that Lola could remember, words escaped her. She couldn't speak.  Couldn't even move as King plucked the offending document out of her hands and leaned towards her, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath as he instructed her to follow him upstairs.<br/><br/>Lola's mind raced. What was she going to do?  Would she be forced to deliver sexual favours to the animal who was now making himself comfortable in one of her rooms upstairs, just to hold on to what was rightfully hers?  Would he demand a share in Lola's? Or his pick of her girls, effectively turning them all into the whores that she had worked so hard to avoid them becoming?  Or worse...would he actually do what he was apparently entitled to do, and demolish her cherished saloon?<br/><br/>Glancing around, hoping beyond hope that no one had overheard the conversation, Lola noticed the less than friendly exchange between Abby and Layla.<em>Don't tell me those two are fighting over Jackson again,</em>she thought bitterly to herself as Layla headed upstairs and Abby took her place in the booth. Watching the small redhead's hands working his shoulders, Lola's nostrils flared with anger.  Grabbing a bottle of whiskey from Tom, Lola headed in their direction, determined to put a stop to this before it went any further.<br/><br/>"Abby," she began, trying to keep all traces of annoyance from her voice. "I have a special assignment for you."  She smiled, hopefully warmly, avoiding Jacksons gaze as she continued.  "In one of the upstairs rooms, you'll find Desmond King.  I'm sure you're familiar with him?" It was a rhetorical question. "Take this bottle of whiskey to him, and give him a reason to forget about business for a while.  You have my permission to share the bottle with him, if you like."<br/><br/>Lola held her breath, wondering if Abby would object.  It was an odd instruction for her to give to one of the girls.  Usually she actively discouraged any sort of sexual activity with customers, although she knew it went on from time to time.  But this was different.  And although she wasn't exactly directing Abby in that regard, desperate times called for desperate measures, and if anyone could make Mr Desmond King forget why he came to<em>Lola's</em>in the first place, it was Abby.<br/><br/>Taking the seat across from Jackson, Lola tried to get her whirling emotions under control.  She knew Jackson would help her deal with King, if she asked.  But did she want to ask?  Would that put him in any danger?  Could she live with herself if he were harmed because he felt obligated to help her out of a sticky situation?  Not knowing where to begin, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.<br/><br/>"What the hell do you think you're doing, causing a stir with my girls?" Her tone was angry and accusing. "What exactly are you playing at, Jackson??"