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

Ryan had been at the gallery the previous day, to give his approval for how his drawings were being displayed. “Not,” he’d told Merrick when he’d called him later in the evening, “that they would have changed anything on my say-so, but it was nice to be included. Me and John. I think he felt the same way.”


Now, Ryan saw John, who looked as nervous as he felt. He went over to greet his fellow artist, saying, “Take a deep breath,” while squeezing his shoulder. Then he turned, intending to introduce him to Merrick, expecting he’d be right there. Instead, Merrick was still by the door, frowning at them. The frown disappeared the moment he realized Ryan was looking at him, replaced with a smile as he came over.


“You must be Mr. Denton,” Merrick said, holding out his hand. “I’m Merrick Hampton, a verygood friend of Ryan’s.”


Chapter 20