MICAH I’ve never been one to be ungrateful. Instead, I’ve made the most of every step and win in life, trying to appreciate it for what it is. The last few years, being included in a family I didn’t know I needed, has given me more than I thought I could have. They’ve given me a job and supported my art in more ways than one. Becoming an apprentice under a group of tattoo artists I admire and who help support me isn’t something I expected, but I’m embracing it anyway. Even with all I have, there has been something missing. I wonder if the magic of the family is going to rub off on me and I’ll find the other half of my soul like everyone else has. When I see Ruth, I don’t have to wonder anymore. She’s mired in the pain of her past, but I can show her there is light in this world. There’s so much in this world she was kept in the dark about, but I can’t wait for the chance to explore it all with her. I’m going to build a home and family with her if she’ll let me. How many of her walls will I have to break down first? She might not understand it, but she’s mine. I’ll gain her trust and prove her past doesn’t define her future. RUTH I might not have had a normal upbringing, but I’ve learned a lot in the last two years. Transitioning from being isolated from society and within The Community hasn’t been easy, but I’m finally ready to see what life has to offer me. I hope I don’t have to leave my sisters behind to do it because we’ve been each other’s support for so long. I envy my older sister, Chloe, she has the life I want to live with love and a family around her. Am I brave enough to have the same? It’s not easy to leave behind the naïve girl who was never given the opportunity for a normal life. I might have left The Community behind, but that doesn’t mean I’m free. Meeting Micah gives me hope and makes me feel less broken. My sisters need my strength, not my doubt and Micah makes me feel strong. He makes me feel seen and important. Is two years long enough to leave the past behind you and embrace a future you were raised to believe would always be out of reach? Can I build something with Micah that will help me find the path I should be on? Or will I always be lost in a past that was chosen for me? *18+. If you like alpha heroes and an insta-love story that is sweet and spicy but isn’t necessarily simple, then this is for you. No cheating with a guaranteed HEA. It is a standalone and the eighth in the Banks Ink. series, but it would be more enjoyable if you’re caught up with this Denver family. Warning: This story may contain casual cannabis use, but not to worry, they live in a legalized state and are responsible members of society.*