Looking back, Nick Leary couldnt say exactly what kept him awake that night. It mightve been the oppressive heat, or the distant rumble of thunder. Hed had a lot on his mind; perhaps hed been thinking about the respectable Essex business that he ran, or about his two young sons sleeping in the room next door. Or was it simply the sound of his beautiful wifes steady breathing beside him...Whatever it was, he was awake when he heard someones footsteps downstairs, and Nicks instinct was to fight. It had always been that way, to protect the things he treasured most: his family, his privacy, his reputation. Hed grafted for these things all his life and no one was going to jeopardise them now. Unless, of course, Nicks instinct is wrong, and what happens this time is the start of something even he cannot stop...