Ryan is a young artist hoping to make a name for himself. When he meets a man who offers to help him advance his career, he accepts. His career takes off when Merrick arranges two shows for Ryan at a local gallery. Ryan is elated, especially when their relationship becomes more personal. What he doesn’t expect is to end up being abused, physically and emotionally, as Merrick tightens his control over the younger artist.<br><br>After a vicious beating, Ryan manages to escape, naked except for a bedspread wrapped around himself. Policeman Shaun Levitt finds him cowering in an alley. Taking the battered young man under his wing, Shaun begins the slow process of helping Ryan come to grips with what happened.<br><br>Will Ryan learn to trust again? Or will he forever look at any man who might be interested in him as another potential abuser ... including Shaun?

In the Name of Love

“This is delicious,” Ryan said a few minutes later.


“Thank you. I’ll have to admit, I found the recipe online, a year or so ago. It’s become one of my favorites, when I actually eat at home.”


“You normally don’t?” Ryan asked.


“Cooking for one isn’t terribly exciting. You probably feel the same way.”


“Yeah. Fast food or pizza is me, more often than not.”


“We’ll have to change that, for both of us,” Merrick replied almost under his breath. When Ryan looked at him in surprise, Merrick shrugged. “Just an idea, since we’re both bachelors. Not every night by any means, but maybe every once in a while?”


“Possible, I guess.” Ryan wasn’t about to commit to his suggestion unless or until he got to know Merrick better. To change the subject, he asked, “Why advertising?”


“Why not?” Merrick replied. “It’s as good a profession as any. All right, that didn’t sound too good. I majored in business, because my father wanted me to do something useful with my life.”


Chapter 9