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

“No. I don’t think so.” Ryan flipped through the pages. “I have enough to do what I want to, for Miss Gina.”


“Then let’s get some coffee and head home.”


As they crossed the street, Ryan glanced at him. “Why are you so good to me?”


“I like you,” Shaun replied. “I like the man I saw a few minutes ago, when you were drawing those kids. I want to see him more often. The man who is dedicated to his craft and loves what he does.”


“I came so close to losing it,” Ryan said, almost under his breath.


“I know, but it’s coming back.” He opened the door to the coffee shop, “I’m going to stick around and watch it happen.”


Ryan stopped where he was, saying, “I hope so. I really do.”


“Count on it.” Because, against my better judgment, since I know you’ll never feel the same, I’m beginning to see you, to think of you, as a man I want in my life as more than a friend. 23


“I have something for you,” Ryan said, coming into Miss Gina’s office Sunday afternoon.


Chapter 78