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

Sunlight on his face awakened Ryan. For a brief second he panicked. It’s almost noon. I didn’t make Merrick’s breakfast. Then he moved and reality hit—hard. He remembered what had happened, the beating, the pain and humiliation when Merrick stripped him of his clothes before he took away all the clothing he owned then locked him in the bedroom. And the kiss, before he did. Ryan wiped his hand over his mouth in disgust. I’ll never beg for his forgiveness because there’s nothing to forgive.


He tried to sit up, fell back on the bed when his ribs protested violently, and then tried again. This time, he managed it, doing his best to ignore the pain as he eased his legs over the side of the bed. The next undertaking was getting to his feet, which he did by dint of using the headboard for balance.


Chapter 46