The Devil's Lair Read Online Free PDF Page A

I’ll explain it all after the show.”
    We all exchange questionable looks as she leaves the room. When she returns, a petite brunette follows her in, along with a little boy. He’s probably around four or five. He grips the woman’s hand tightly as he searches the room wide-eyed. When his gaze lands on Trey, his mouth gapes open in shock.
    “Guys, I’d like you to meet Paula Elliot and her son, Shane.”
    Paula smiles shyly while Shane continues to gawk at Trey. Trey leans forward, staring at the little boy with obvious curiosity.
    Leila moves toward Paula, extending her hand, “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Leila Lair. Can I introduce you to the guys?”
    Paula nods and says to Shane, “Would you like that, Shane?”
    He nods slowly, still gripping her hand.
    “This is my son. He loves you guys so much. He wants to be a rock star when he grows up. Right, Shane?”
    Shane nods and says, “A bass player.”
    This kid is adorable. He looks a lot like his mom with his dark hair and dark eyes. Leila squats in front of Shane and asks, “Do you want to meet Trey?”
    He nods frantically, looking at her hopefully.
    Leila smiles and offers her hand. He takes it and walks with her over to Trey. Trey remains seated, a small smile playing on his face. When he comes face to face with Trey, he waves and says, “Hi.”
    Trey leans forward, offering his hand. “Hey, bud. It’s nice to meet you. So, you want to play bass, huh?”
    “A black one. Like you play.”
    “Is that right? Do you know how to play a guitar?”
    “I’m learning. Mommy lets me take lessons every week.”
    “Well, I was older than you when I started playing. If you keep playing, you’re going to be the best bass player ever.”
    Shane beams at Trey’s words. “I know that I will be,” he confirms, nodding his head without a doubt.
    Trey laughs at his words and ruffles his hair. “Hey, this is my wife, Tara.” Trey leans closer and asks, “Isn’t she pretty?”
    Shane focuses on Tara and smiles. “Yes, she’s very pretty. So is Leila.”
    “Thank you, Shane,” Leila says with a wide smile.
    In my peripheral vision, I see Jen standing awkwardly at the door. She’s actually fidgeting, which is very rare for Jen. I walk over to her as Shane continues to chat with his obvious idol.
    “What’s this about?”
    Jen looks up at me with a small smile playing on her lips. “Paula wrote to me about a year ago. She and I went to school together. We were close back then, but we lost touch. I was very surprised to hear from her. We reconnected, picking up where we left off. She recently asked me for a favor.”
    “Wow, Jen. You do have a heart?”
    She ignores my dig and stands quietly, her brow puckers in concentration.
    “What’s wrong?”
    She pauses a beat before continuing, lowering her voice when she does, “Paula’s sick. She’s alone. Shane is all she has. She doesn’t have much time. She wants to make all his dreams come true while she still can.”
    My throat closes with emotion as I watch Paula beaming at her son interacting with the rock stars in the room.
    “What will happen to Shane?”
    Jen shrugs. “I don’t know.”
    Shane climbs onto Tara’s lap and Trey pretends to be angry. Shane belly laughs at Trey’s facial expressions and whatever it is he’s saying to the little guy.
    Jen turns to me and says, “I cleared it with the studio. They’ll be touring with us. Paula’s my assistant while on the road. Louis never batted an eye and approved the whole thing.”
    “Will she be well enough to travel?”
    Jen shrugs again and repeats, “We don’t know. She’s determined to give him this. She wants to as long as she physically can. She’s scared to death when he’ll be thrown into the system and it’s consuming her.”
    “She has no one? Not a relative, a friend?”
    “She has distant relatives in Philly, hasn’t spoken to them in years. When Paula reached out, she wasn’t received very well.”
    “Shane’s