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

“Not the way you seem to be taking it,” Merrick replied. “You’re a nice young man, but I have no intention of seducing you.”


“Oh.” Ryan looked as if he wasn’t certain if he liked the idea, or not.


Merrick quickly decided not to probe. Let him think about it. The more he does, the more likely it is he will wonder what it would be like if I tried, and what his response would be.


Ryan turned away, gathering up the drawings. “How do I get to know you, then?” he asked.


“To begin with, I’ll do as I promised and show you the rest of the house.”


“Have you read all of these?” Ryan asked, looking at the three walls of the library which were covered with bookshelves.


Chapter 10