part 6
PART 6
Roy denied everything.
That surprised no one.
He told deputies Tyler was a liar.
A runaway.
A thief.
A dramatic kid who hurt himself for attention.
Then the sheriff showed him the hospital photos.
Roy stopped talking.
That was how guilt often entered a room.
Not with confession.
With silence.
A social worker arrived at the hospital before dawn.
Her name was Dana Mills.
Kind eyes.
Steel voice.
She asked Tyler if he had relatives.
Tyler shook his head.
“My mom’s sister moved away.”
“Name?”
“I don’t know.”
“Anyone else safe?”
Tyler looked toward the hallway.
Jaxon stood there holding two cups of coffee, one untouched.
The answer sat in Tyler’s throat.
But he did not know if he was allowed to say a biker president counted as safe.
Dana followed his eyes.
“Mr. Reed has asked to remain informed as a witness and emergency support contact.”
Tyler looked stunned.
“He did?”
Jaxon stepped into the doorway.
“I did.”
Tyler looked down.
“You don’t have to.”
Jaxon’s voice was rough.
“My sons are breathing because you did something you did not have to do.”
Tyler whispered, “They were little.”
Jaxon stepped closer.
“So were you.”
That sentence broke Tyler.
Not loudly.
He folded over himself and cried into the hospital blanket.
Dana waited.
Jaxon waited.
Nobody told him to toughen up.
Nobody told him boys did not cry.
Nobody told him he was making things uncomfortable.
When Tyler could breathe again, Dana explained temporary custody.
Foster placement.
Hearings.
Medical evaluations.
Statements.
Tyler heard only one thing.
“I have to go with strangers.”
Dana softened.
“For now, we find the safest available placement.”
Jaxon looked at Boone.
Boone looked at Dana.
The Iron Saints had faced police scrutiny enough to know asking for custody was not simple.
Jaxon asked anyway.
“What does it take for me to be considered?”
Dana studied him.
“Background checks.”
“Home inspection.”
“Court approval.”
“Training.”
“Time.”
Jaxon nodded once.
“Start.”
Tyler stared at him.
“You would do that?”
Jaxon looked at Seth and Luke asleep through the glass.
“My boys asked if you were coming home with us.”
He looked back at Tyler.
“I told them I would try the right way.”
Tyler’s voice was barely audible.
“Nobody ever tried the right way for me.”
May you like
Jaxon answered, “Then we start there.”
Read the full story 👉 Jaxon asked how to become Tyler’s legal placement, but saving him would require more than gratitude.
