A collective shiver rustled around the table as the doors of the saloon burst open and the cause of Lola's sleepless night strode across the room like he owned it, his two henchmen remaining on guard at the entrance.  The girls at the table who didn't already know about King's acquisition of Lola's looked shocked at his announcement, their mouths falling open almost simultaneously in what would have been a very comical manner had the circumstances been different.  Watching King carefully, Lola didn't miss the way his gaze lingered briefly on Abby, and she wondered what exactly had transpired last night.<em>I should have made a point of speaking to her as soon as King left,</em>Lola chastised herself.  But, other happenings had gotten in the way, and it was too late to be worrying about that now.<br/><br/>Lola tried to put on a brave face as each girl turned towards her, fear of the unknown in their eyes.  She gave them a small smile of reassurance as King stalked around the table, coming to a halt behind her.  Cringing as his hands caressed her bare shoulders, she shook her head at his announcement that Jackson had killed the sheriff.  It was unlikely that anyone at the table would believe that statement anyway - they'd all known the bounty hunter longer that they'd known King - but Lola knew that mud had an unfortunate way of sticking if it was flung hard enough.  However, she knew in her heart that Jackson would never shoot someone down in cold blood, especially a fellow lawman.  She had to make sure that the girls all believed that too, so they could counteract the gossip that would no doubt be sweeping the saloon floor tonight.<br/><br/>An involuntary shudder passed through her when he leaned down to speak in her ear.  The man made Lola's skin crawl.  She shot an apologetic look in Abby's direction, guilt at having sent the girl to distract King once again eating away at her.  Never had Lola regretted something she'd done here in Silver City the way she regretted doing that.  She'd make a point of speaking to Abby as soon as she could, and putting things right with her.  She adored each of her girls like they were her own offspring, and the underlying implication of King's statement about<em>another girl to distract him</em>left Lola in no doubt that Abby had been subjected to more than just his words last night.  And she would hate for Abby to think that she had thrown her in front of King like a lamb to the slaughter.<br/><br/>"Of course, Mr King," she responded with as much dignity as she could muster. "Would you care to join us for breakfast?  I'll have Cook bring you some grits, if'n you like."  Lola indicated an empty chair at the table, inviting him to sit.  It wasn't just that she didn't want to be alone with the monster.  Given that his "terms" would affect them all, she thought it only fair that her girls be privy to the conversation as well.