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

“Hey, if you don’t want to, say so,” Shaun said. “I’m going. I wouldn’t mind having company. Then we can tear it apart when it’s over.” He smiled winningly.


“Sure. Why not? It’ll get me out of the house for a while. I’ve been cooped up in the studio all week. Fresh air and sunshine sounds good.”


Shaun laughed. “You really haven’tbeen out, have you? It happened overnight though, so you’re forgiven for not knowing.”


“Gee, thanks. Let me get my jacket.” As Ryan started up the stairs, he stopped to say, “Oh, I forgot to tell you yesterday. I had mail.”


“Let me guess. Your driver’s license finally came.”


“Yep. And my debit card. I’m an official member of the human race.”


“If that’s all it takes…” Shaun shook his head in amusement.


“The movie was much better than I expected,” Shaun said as he and Ryan left the theater.


Chapter 79