welcome back and thank you for tuning in to cheating Tales lab we appreciate every single one of you we'd love to know what part of the world are you watching from right now let us know in the comments now let's dive into today's story chapter 1 the call Thomas Tom Walker stood in his kitchen grimacing at the bitter taste of overcooked coffee the morning ritual had been interrupted by a distracted mind resulting in the burnt Brew before him at 45 his weathered features spoke of years spent under the sun commanding construction sites with unwavering Authority
his dark hair showed touches of gray at the temples but his blue eyes retained their Razorsharp focus a remnant of his military days that served him well in civilian life he reached for the newspaper appreciating The Quiet Moments before heading to the construction site the modest kitchen reflected his pragmatic approach to life functional orderly maintained with the same discipline he brought to everything the salary of a construction Foreman wasn't lavish but it provided a comfortable life for his family his wife Eleanor and their 21-year-old daughter Ava the harsh ring of his phone pierced the silence
Tom's hand froze mid-reach for his coffee cup unknown number Mr Walker a clinical voice came through this is Memorial Hospital your daughter Ava has been brought to our emergency department Tom's fingers tightened around the phone what happened sir we can't discuss details over the phone but you should come immediately I'm on my way his voice remained steady but his pulse quickened Tom grabbed his jacket leaving his half-eaten breakfast forgotten on the counter his boots thundered against the kitchen floor as he rushed out the old pickup trucks engine roared to life and he pulled out of
the driveway with controlled urgency the hospital's fluorescent lights assaulted his eyes as he stroe through the emergency Department a nurse pointed him toward a curtain Bay and Tom's military training kicked in as he assessed the scene before him Ava lay on the bed her face marked with ugly bruises her right eye was swollen tears streaming down her cheeks her hands trembled as she clutched the thin Hospital blanket daddy her voice cracked Tom moved to her side taking her hand in his his touch was gentle contrasting with the fury Building inside him I'm here baby girl
tell me what happened aa's words came out between sobs I came home early from Sarah's I heard noises upstairs she squeezed her eyes shut in your bedroom tomk jaw clenched go on mom was there with Uncle Rick Ava's voice dropped to a whisper they were together the words hit Tom like physical blows Eleanor his wife of 23 years with Rick her brother the smooth talking businessman who always seemed to have an angle I screamed Ava continued then these two men came out of nowhere Rick's bodyguards they grabbed me threw me down the stairs her body
shook with renewed sobs they're still there dad drinking your whiskey laughing Tom stood his movements controlled deliberate did you see a doctor yet they're waiting for x-rays good he kissed her for head I'll be back soon dad Ava grabbed his wrist don't do anything stupid tomk lips curved in a cold smile nothing stupid just necessary he found the nurse's station and approached the desk with measured steps my daughter Ava Walker I need to know her injuries the nurse tapped at her computer contusions possible concussion pending x-rays for her ribs and right wrist the doctor ordered
pain medication I want all the documentation Tom interrupted photos of her injuries medical reports everything sir that's not standard procedure make it happen his voice dropped lower those bastards aren't getting away with this the nurse studied his face then nodded slowly I'll see what I can do tomk mind raised as he processed the situation Elanor his wife the woman he'd built a life with was betraying him with her her own brother Rick the man who showed up at family dinners with expensive wines and condescending Smiles the man Tom had always sensed was dirty beneath his
polished exterior but bodyguards that suggested something bigger than a simple Affair Rick's business dealings had always seemed suspicious too much money too few explanations now he had muscle on Peril men willing to assault a young woman Tom pulled out his phone and dialed a number he hadn't used in years it's Walker remember that favor you owe me from Kandahar he paused listening I'm calling it in I need everything you can find on Richard Thorn's business operations and I mean everything he ended the call and stared at the emergency room doors 23 years of marriage countless
family dinners shared holidays all a lie the Betrayal cut deep but it wasn't the sex that enraged him it was Ava his daughter his child they had crossed a line no father could let that stand Tom walked back to aa's bedside she had fallen into a Restless sleep pain medication taking effect he watched her bruised face remembering the day she was born he'd sworn then to protect her from anything that might harm her he'd fail today but he wouldn't fail again a doctor approached clipboard in hand Mr Walker we need to discuss your daughter's injuries
in a minute tomk eyes never left Ava face I need to make one more call he stepped away from the bed and dialed another number the line rang twice detective Ramirez this is Thomas Walker we need to talk about Richard Thorne and his associates he listened briefly no not at the station somewhere private this goes deeper than you know Tom ended the call and returned to Ava's bedside the doctor waited patiently tell me everything Tom said I want to know exactly what they did to my little girl as the doctor detailed aa's injuries Tom's rage
crystallized into something cold and hard Eleanor Rick the bodyguards they thought they were Untouchable they thought they could hurt his family and laugh about it over his whiskey they were wrong they had no idea what kind of man they were dealing with but they would learn Tom would make sure of that he settled into the chair beside Ava's bed his mind already mapping out what needed to be done first secure Ava then gather intelligence then then they would understand the mistake they'd made the mistake of betraying Thomas Walker the mistake of hurting his daughter the
mistake of thinking they could get away with it chapter 2 the confrontation Tom's truck crawled down his street his trained eyes scanning for unfamiliar Vehicles two black SUVs with tinted windows sat in his driveway professional muscle trying to look inconspicuous in a workingclass neighbor neighborhood Amateur hour he parked a block away and approached on foot years of military training taking over the front door hung open spilling light onto the porch music drifted from inside along with rockus laughter Tom slipped in through the side door moving silently through his own home like an intruder the sound
system pumped out Bas Heavy Music masking his footsteps he could smell cigarette smoke in his house where he'd never allowed smoking voices carried from the living room a man's laughter deep and arrogant Rick's voice you should have seen his face when I showed up at Christmas dinner thanks for the wine Rick clueless bastard more laughter Eleanor's voice joined in slurred with alcohol he never suspected a thing too busy with his precious routine coffee at 6 News at 6:15 Tom's hands curled into fists 23 years of marriage reduced to a joke for her brother's Amusement he
stepped into the doorway the scene burned itself into his memory Eleanor sprawled on the couch drink in hand her blouse half unbuttoned Rick lounged beside her arm draped possessively around her shoulders two men in black suits stood by the windows trying to look professional despite the beers in their hands get out Tom's voice cut through the music the room froze Eleanor's drink slipped from her fingers splashing onto the carpet Rick's smirk faltered well well Rick drawled but his eyes darted to his bodyguards the man of the house returns 5 Seconds Tom said then I start
removing you the first bodyguard young muscled wearing his suit like a costume steep forward listen buddy Tom moved years of combat training exploded into violence his first strike crushed the man's larynx as the bodyguard clutched his throat Tom's knee drove up into his solar plexus the man crumpled gasping the second guard reached for a weapon Tom caught his arm twisting until bones cracked the guard screamed Tom slammed his head into the wall once twice the man slumped unconscious 15 seconds two threats neutralized Rick stumbled backward pulling Eleanor with him now Tom letun be reasonable reason
able Tom Advanced on them like your men were reasonable with my daughter she shouldn't have been here Eleanor blurted it's not our fault Tom backhanded her the crack echoed through the room Elanor sprawled onto the couch holding her face staring at him in shock don't you dare Tom growled don't you dare blame her Rick tried to Edge toward the door Tom caught him by the throat slamming him against the wall Rick's feet dangled his face rening please Rick wheezed we can talk about this talk Tom increased the pressure like your men talk to Ava with
their fists he drove his knee into Rick's stomach then let him fall as Rick gasped for air tomk boot connected with his ribs once twice three times stop Eleanor screamed you'll kill him no tomk voice was terrifyingly calm not yet he grabed Rick's Hair yanking his head up your men hurt my little girl think I'll return the favor What followed was methodical brutal and precisely calculated Tom knew exactly how much damage the human body could take he kept Rick conscious made him feel every blow when he finished Rick lay curled on the floor sobbing blood
dripped from his nose his lips pooling on the carpet Tom had installed last summer Tom turned to Eleanor she pressed herself against the couch trembling Tommy please she whimpered I can explain don't call me that he looked at her like she was a stranger get your things get out if you're still here in 10 minutes You'll wish you weren't Eleanor staggered to her feet where am I supposed to go ask your brother tomk laugh held no humor once he can talk again he turned to the bodyguards one unconscious one still clutching his throat take your
boss and get out if I see any of you again they won't find your bodies the conscious guard dragged himself to his feet helped his partner up together they lifted Rick who moaned in pain this isn't over Rick mumbled through bloody lips you're right Tom smiled and both guards took an involuntary step back it's just beginning he watched them load Rick into one of the SUVs Eleanor stumbled after them mascara streaking her cheeks she looked back once but Tom had already turned away inside he surveyed the damage broken glass blood on his carpet cigarette burns
on his coffee table the home he' built defiled by their presence his phone bust a text from Mack found something meet me tonight Tom nodded to himself Eleanor and Rick thought this was over they thought he'd had his revenge spent his rage they were wrong this wasn't about Revenge this was about Justice For Ava for the years they laughed behind his back for every holiday dinner where Rick had sat at his table planning to destroy his family Tom walked to his bedroom their bedroom the bed where she betrayed him still bore the evidence of their
Affair he stripped the sheets methodically carried them to the backyard and set them on fire then he made a series of calls to his bank to his lawyer to detective Ramirez Elanor thought thought she knew him thought he was predictable boring safe she was about to learn how wrong she was they all were Chapter 3 The Back stories in the quiet aftermath of violence Tom sat in his chair staring at the blank television screen the house felt Hollow tainted blood still stained his knuckles Rick's blood his phone buzzed again Mac Construction Site 1 hour Tom
closed his eyes memories flooding back back Afghanistan 2003 the Ambush that nearly killed them both Mac pulling him to safety as bullets tore through the air the debt between them Written in Blood and gunfire he hadn't always been this man capable of calculated violence of cold Revenge once he'd been a small town kid with simple dreams military service had changed him taught him about Duty loyalty and the harsh realities of a world where violence solved problems that words couldn't touch the day he'd met Eleanor replayed in his mind she'd been a waitress at the local
Diner All Bright Smiles and endless chatter he'd been freshly discharged still adjusting to civilian life she'd seemed like an anchor something real to hold on to while his mind still echoed with gunfire and screams their courtship had been Swift passionate she talked about her dreams a big house fancy cars the kind of Life her brother Rick enjoyed Tom had promised to give her everything he could not riches but stability security a home for years it had seemed enough they'd had Ava bought this house built a life Tom worked his way up from laborer to Foreman
took pride in honest work Eleanor had seemed happy or at least he thought she was now he wondered how long the lies had been going on how long had she looked at his calloused hands and worn work boots with contempt how long had she been plotting with Rick laughing at the faithful husband who trusted her Rick tomk hands clenched at the thought of his brother-in-law The Golden Boy of the family with his designer suits and smooth talk Tom had never trusted him had seen the Predator beneath the polished exterior but for Eleanor's sake he'd welcomed
Rick into his home broken bread with him endured his subtle Jabs and condescending Smiles tomk phone rang detective Ramirez Walker he answered got some information on your brother-in-law Ramirez said without Preamble you're not going to like it tell me those weren't just bodyguards at your house they're enforcers Rick's been running a protection racket squeezing local businesses he's got cops on the payroll judges in his pocket Tom absorbed this that explains the muscle there's more Ramirez continued your wife's been making withdrawals big ones moving money into off offshore accounts how long 6 months at least Walker
Ramirez hesitated they were planning to clean you out divorce papers are already drawn up they were going to take everything leave you with nothing but debt Tom's laugh was harsh appreciate the Intel detective Walker Ramirez's voice sharpened don't do anything stupid Rick's connected HEK dangerous so am I Tom ended the call he stood moving through the house with purpose in the bedroom he opened the closet pushed aside hanging clothes the safe was hidden behind a false panel his private space one secret Eleanor had never discovered inside lay remnants of his military life documents medals a
book of contacts from his service days men who owed him favors men who knew how to handle problems quietly the construction site was dark when he arrived Max truck was parked in the shadows away from the street lights Tom approached cautiously scanning for surveillance old habits died hard Max stood by a stack of Steel beams his broad frame silhouetted against the night sky 20 years of civilian life hadn't softened him he still moved like a soldier alert and ready you look like hell Max said as Tom approached you should see the other guy Mack nodded
toward his truck got something to show you inside the trucks cab Mac pulled out a laptop been doing some digging on Rick's operations man's got his fingers in everything real estate fraud protection rackets money laundering but here's the interesting part he turned the screen toward Tom bank statements property records shell companies your wife's name keeps popping up she's been working with Rick for years helping him move money around she's not just his lover she's his partner Tom stud the documents his expression hardening she played me for a fool there's more Mack continued Rick's got problems
he borrowed big from some dangerous people word is he's desperate for cash that's probably why they accelerated their timeline with you timeline Mac pulled up more documents they've been planning this for months the divorce the asset transfers all of it they were going to bleed you dry saddle you with Rick's debts you'd have lost everything house savings maybe even ended up in jail for their financial schemes Tom absorbed this in Silence the Betrayal went deeper than he'd imagined not just an affair but a calculated plot to destroy him what about Ava he asked finally she
wasn't supposed to be home today they got sloppy got caught Rick's guys panicked Tom's jaw clenched they hurt my little girl and they'll pay for that Mack assured him but you need to be smart about this Rick's got connections you go after him headon you'll end up dead or in prison I'm not going to kill him Tom said quietly death's too quick too clean I want them to suffer I want them to lose everything just like they planned for me Max studied his old friend's face you've got a plan getting there Tom stood I need
you to keep digging bank records business dealings everything I want to know every SK sket in their closet what about Elanor tomk expression turned cold she made her choice now she lives with it he left Mack and drove home his mind working through possibilities the house felt different now a crime scene not a home he walked through each room noting the small signs he'd missed the extra phone she'd hidden in her jewelry box the financial documents tucked behind the filing cabinet the business cards from offshore Banks all the piece of their betrayal hidden in plain
sight in Ava's room he paused photos covered her Walls family vacations birthdays graduations Eleanor smiling playing the devoted mother while plotting to destroy their lives his phone bust a text from Ava when can you pick me up Tom texted back tomorrow morning get some rest another text came in this one from Elanor we need to talk Tom deleted it without responding there was nothing left to say he spent the night in his chair cleaning his gun making lists planning Eleanor and Rick thought they knew him the predictable reliable Thomas Walker the man who played by
the rules they had no idea what he was capable of as Dawn broke Tom made coffee properly this time no burning he' lived through betrayal before in war seen what it did to men but this was different this wasn't combat this was family they brought War to his home threatened his child now they would learn what that meant the sun rose over his broken home marking the end of one life and the beginning of another Thomas Walker husband father builder of homes was gone in his place stood a warrior awakened from long Slumber a man
with nothing left to lose and everything to avenge the war had begun chapter 4 the hospital visit Tom stroe through the sterile Hospital corridors toward Ava's room his boots echoing against the lenium the nurse at the station gave him a nod they'd grown used to his presence over the past day through the door's window he could see Ava lying in bed her bruised face turned toward the TV mounted on the wall hey baby girl he said softly entering the room Ava's eyes lit up despite her injuries dad her voice was stronger than before but pain
still edged her words Tom settled into the chair beside her bed taking her hand in his the bruises on her face had darkened tracking the passage of time since Rick's men had attacked her his jaw tightened at the sight the doctor says I can go home tomorrow Ava said not home Tom replied I've arranged for you to stay with Sarah for a while but Dad no arguments his voice was gentle but firm home isn't safe right now I need to handle something Ava fingers tightened around his mom called me tomk expression hardened what did she
say she tried to explain said it wasn't what I thought that Uncle Rick aa's voice cracked she said I shouldn't have been there that it was my fault for coming home early Tom stood abruptly pacing to control his rage nothing about this is your fault nothing I should have known something was wrong Ava continued the way they'd whisper when you weren't around how Uncle Rick started showing up more often when you were at work she wiped at her eyes mom's been meeting with lawyers I saw the paperwork in her car last week I should have
told you you trusted your mother that's not a crime Tom returned to her bedside tell me everything you remember when did Rick start coming around more as Ava spoke tomk mind catalog details building a timeline of betrayal Eleanor's real estate meetings that ran late Rick's casual drops in always when Tom was at the construction site the whispered phone calls the hidden documents a knock at the door interrupted them Max stood in the doorway his hospital administrator badge glinting under the fluorescent lights got a minute Mack asked Tom squeezed A's hand get some rest I'll be
back soon in the hallway Mac pulled him aside those guys you roughed up they're not just muscle for higher they're connect Ed one of them worked security for a Casino downtown lots of mob ties the other ones got a wrap sheet longer than my arm assault extortion attempted murder Tom absorbed this Rick's deeper in than I thought that's not all ma glanced around before continuing been asking around about your brother-in-law he's got protection from someone high up cops judges someone's making sure he stays clean can you get me names Mack nodded working on it but
watch your back these aren't amateurs you're dealing with Tom's phone buzzed detective Ramirez requesting a meeting keep digging he told Mack I need everything you can find back in aa's room he found her dozing the medication made her sleep more which was probably for the best she didn't need to see what was coming a nurse entered with fresh bandages Mr Walker we need to document her injuries again for the police report Tom watched as they photographed each bruise each scrape evidence ammunition his daughter's pain cataloged in megapixels the detective handling her case called the nurse
said they want to interview her tomorrow no tomk voice was Final shek been through enough they can talk to me the nurse hesitated sir in cases of domestic violent this isn't domestic violence Tom cut her off this is something else entirely and I'm handling it later as night settled over the hospital Tom sat watching Ava sleep his phone lit up with texts from Eleanor please explanations threats he deleted them all the woman he' married the mother of his child was gone in her place was a stranger who'd conspired to destroy him who'd watched their daughter
being attacked and done nothing Tom's fingers traced the military ID he still carried in his wallet 20 years ago he'd been a man a soldier who knew how to deal with enemies who understood that sometimes violence was the only language people respected he buried that man when he came home built a life of Peace but now watching his daughter's bruised face he felt the soldiers stirring Rising Ready for War Eleanor Rick their thugs they brought violence into his home hurt his child tried to take everything they were about to learn that Thomas Walker hadn't for
forgotten how to fight chapter 5 the investigation the police station buzzed with activity as Tom made his way to detective Ramirez's desk Isabella izy Ramirez was a sharp featured woman in her 40s with Keen eyes that missed nothing she motioned him to sit you look like hell she observed been a rough few days Izzy pulled out a thick file got some information you need to see your wife's been busy she spread photos across her desk surveillance shots of Eleanor meeting with various men in expensive suits that's Julian Torres Izzy pointed to a handsome man in
his 30s con artist specializes in real estate fraud been on our radar for years but nothing sticks your wife's had at least six meetings with him in the past month Tom studied the photos what's the connection Torres helps people hide money sets up shell companies offshore accounts he's good we've never been able to prove any anything Izzy leaned forward 3 weeks ago Eleanor transferred most of your joint savings into an account we can't trace the paperwork looked legitimate your signature was on everything I never signed anything no but someone did someone good enough to fool
the bank Izzy pulled out more documents there's more your brother-in-laws businesses their fronts money laundering probably drugs those bodyguards who hurt your daughter they work for the castalano family the name hit Tom like a physical blow the ctios controlled most of the city's organized crime if Rick was involved with them you need to back off izy warned these people don't play games they'll kill you and never think twice tomk laugh was harsh they already tried to destroy me hurt my daughter you expect me to walk away I expect you to be smart Izzy lowered her
voice look I can't officially help you but unofficially she slid a USB drive across the desk this contains everything we have on Torres Rick and their operations account numbers business records surveillance reports just be careful how you use it Tom pocketed the drive I owe you yeah you do and Tom she caught his arm as he stood whatever your planning make sure I don't have to arrest you for it from the police station Tom drove to his Bay the manager's face was sympathetic as she reviewed his accounts I'm sorry Mr Walker the transfers were all
properly authorized your wife had power of attorney show me everything she moved where it went the manager pulled up transaction records Tom's jaw clenched as he saw their savings disappear college funds retirement accounts all gone Eleanor had been thorough his phone buzzed Max sending coordinates for a meeting Tom found him him in the hospital parking garage smoking despite regulations got those names you wanted Max said judge Michael Preston's been handling all cases involving Rick's businesses dismissing charges sealing records the cosos own him what about the bodyguards Vincent Caruso and Tony baglia career criminals Caruso is
still in ICU you did a number on him baglia was released this morning Tom nodded where does he live Max's eyes narrowed why need to ask him some questions these guys are professionals Tom they'll kill you they can try tomk voice was cold you going to tell me where he lives or not Max side handing over a piece of paper your funeral Tom's next stop was his house Eleanor had cleared out most of her things but he wasn't interested in clothes or jewelry he went straight to her home office the one place she never let
him organize the filing cabinets yielded a treasure Trove bank statements correspondence records of meetings Eleanor had documented everything probably to protect herself now her own paranoia would help destroy her a hidden folder contained photos Elanor with Rick in Intimate situations blackmail Insurance Tom realized she'd been playing everyone even her partner in crime his phone rang Eleanor's number he almost deleted it then reconsidered time to start playing his own game yes Tommy please her voice was tearful we need to talk this isn't what you think no his voice was conversational so you didn't steal my money
didn't watch while Rick's men threw our daughter down the stairs I didn't know they would hurt her Rick promise Rick promised what that he'd help you bleed me dry set me up for his crimes silence on the line then how did you know about I know everything Eleanor about Julian Tores about the ctios about Judge Preston he let that sink in you really should have been more careful with your paperwork Tom please real fear in her voice now you don't understand what you're dealing with these people no you don't understand you brought these people into
my home let them hurt my child now you get to watch while I tear their whole world down they'll kill you better men than them have tried Tom ended the call his laptop booted up and he inserted Izzy's USB drive hours of surveillance footage Financial records police reports everything he needed to understand his enemy's operations a separate file contained information on Julian Torres past victims people he'd conned lives he destroyed Tom began making notes these people would want revenge they just needed someone to show them how to get it as night fell Tom cleaned his
gun an old habit that helped him think Eleanor and Rick thought they were dealing with a simple construction Foreman a predictable man who played by the rules they'd forgotten or never knew what he'd been before the things he'd done in service to his country the skills he' learned and never quite forgotten Tom smiled in the darkness time to remind them chapter 6 The Plan the bar was nearly empty when Tom arrived Max sat in a corner Booth files spread across the table a half empty whiskey in front of him two decades of Hospital Administration hadn't
softened his military bearing those the hospital reports Tom asked sliding into the booth Mack pushed them over Caruso got three broken ribs fractured larynx possible permanent damage to his knee but taglia wasn't much better broken jaw dislocated shoulder concussion they'll live yeah Max studied his friend's face you starting a War here Tom they started it I'm just finishing it Mac pulled out more papers got the background checks you wanted Torres has been working with Rick for about 2 years they run a pretty sophisticated operation find desperate people offer them fake investment opportunities drain them dry
your wife helped set up the companies handled the paperwork how many victims at least 20 that we know of most lost everything Max slid over a list of names and addresses what are you planning Tom pocketed the list better if you don't know these people you're dealing with they're not amateurs the ctios don't play games neither do I tomk voice was flat not anymore his phone buzzed detective Ramirez requesting another meeting Tom finished his drink and stood watch your back ma warned always do Tom found Izzy in the police station parking lot leaning against her
car got something you need to see she said handing him a file judge Preston's been making regular deposits to an offshore account big ones way more than his salary could explain Tom flipped through bank statements this is what they used to buy him looks like but that's not all Izzy pulled out more photos Preston's got a weakness for young prostitutes Rick's people have been providing them along with cocaine they own him completely you useful information Izzy grabbed his arm don't do anything stupid these people have protection money power tomk smile was cold but they've never
dealt with someone like me back home Tom spread everything across his dining room table surveillance photos Financial records witness statements the pieces of a puzzle finally coming together Rick's operation was bigger than he'd imagined real estate fraud was just the surface below that lay l layers of money laundering drug trafficking prostitution all protected by corrupt officials and MOB connections Elanor had known had to have known yet she'd chosen to Ally herself with them to help them destroy him his phone lit up a text from an unknown number back off while you can last warning Tom
saved the number useful to know they were worried enough to threaten him he began making notes mapping out connections and vulnerabilities Rick's operation depended on keeping victims quiet maintaining a legitimate facade what happened when that facade cracked judge Preston was the weak link take him down the whole protection scheme would crumble but first Tom pulled out the list Mac had given him tour his victims people who'd lost homes savings businesses people with Nothing Left to Lose time to give them a chance at Revenge his laptop contained templates for business letters corporate documents within hour he'
crafted invitations to a private investment recovery meeting anonymous tips about where their money had really gone seeds of Destruction ready to sprout next he accessed the surveillance footage as he had provided Preston leaving brothel Preston meeting with known drug dealers Preston accepting envelopes of cash from Rick's Associates three copies burn to separate drives one for the media one for the bar association one for Preston himself self Tom's phone buzzed again Ava Dad when can I come home not yet baby soon he kept his voice gentle how are you feeling better Sarah's parents have been really
nice a pause mom keeps calling don't answer I wasn't going to aa's voice hardened I saw what they did to you what they tried to take from us none of that matters you're what matters just be careful okay I can't lose you too you won't tomk resolve strengthened get some rest I love you after hanging up Tom returned to his planning the pieces were in place judge Preston's corruption Torres victims the casano criminal Empire all connected all vulnerable pull the right threads the whole thing would unravel this phone lit up Eleanor again this time he
answered last chance he said before could speak tell me where the money is I can't her voice shook they'll kill me then you better hope they get to you before I do he ended the call and went back to work the soldier in him recognized this for what it was not Revenge but Warfare intelligence gathering Target assessment strategic strikes Eleanor Rick Torres the cosos they were about to learn what happened when you pushed a trained killer too far when you heard his face family Tom smiled in the darkness the storm was gathering time to let
it break chapter 7 the Trap Tom sat in his truck outside Julian Torres office building watching through binoculars as the con man's victims arrived one by one 20 people whose lives Torres had destroyed each carrying manila folders filled with evidence of his schemes Tom had contacted them all provided proof of Tores fraud and given them a chance at Payback his phone buzzed a text from Izzy judge Preston just signed the warrants move when ready Tom checked his watch in 30 minutes Preston would realize his error signing search warrants for properties owned by his castalano family
benefactors by then it would be too late inside the building's Lobby the victims gathered anger radiating from their faces a banker who'd lost his pension a widow whose house had been stolen through forged documents a contractor forced into bankruptcy all of them waiting for Torres to arrive Tom's burner phone rang Danny Lee's number the transfers are done Dany said Rick's accounts are empty everything's moved to the Shell companies what about the offshore accounts those to Eleanor's nest egg is gone they're both broke Tom nodded send the evidence to the IRS anonimous tip already done you
sure about this the cosos will let me worry about them Tom ended the call a black Mercedes pulled into the parking lot Torres arriving for work Tom watched through the binoculars as the con man stepped out straightening his expensive suit Torres hadn't noticed the Gathering crowd yet too busy checking his reflection in the car window Tom pulled out his phone and dialed the number he'd gotten from Mac Mr Torres this is David Shun from the SEC we've received some concerning reports about your investment practices I'm in your lobby with some former clients who'd like to
discuss the matter Torres froze then turned toward the building entrance Tom could see the moment he recognized the faces waiting for him the con man's confident mask slipped replaced by raw fear Tom smiled and dialed another number the local news station this is an anonymous tip you might want to send a crew to 1835 Market Street a group of fraud victims are confronting the man who stole their lifesaving Torres tried to retreat to his car but the crowd had already spotted him they surged forward waving documents shouting accusations news van screeched into the parking lot
cameras rolling Tom's phone lit up Rick calling he let it go to voicemail then check the message you bastard what did you do the IRS is here they're seizing everything I'll kill you for this another call Eleanor this time her voice shook with pain Panic Tom please they're saying it was all fraud that Rick was laundering money they're freezing my accounts I need help Tom deleted the message without responding through the binoculars he watched Torres trying to push through the crowd his designer suit now wrinkled and torn camera crew captured everything as the victims shared
their stories Decades of fraud exposed in the harsh light of day police cars arrived lights flashing Tom recognized Izzy stepping out of an unmarked vehicle warrant in hand she timed it perfectly Torres caught on camera surrounded by his victims as federal agents moved in to arrest him Tom's burner phone buzzed a text from Dany files sent to the SEC T his entire operation exposed Rick's connection to the fraud documented they'll both go down for this the plan was working perfectly Torres would talk to save himself implicating Rick in the fraud Rick would panic probably try
to run the cosos would realize he'd become a liability Tom started his truck and pulled away leaving chaos in his wake one target down two to go his next stop was the construction site where he'd arranged to meet baglia The Bodyguard who'd helped throw Ava down the stairs the man had agreed to talk thinking Tom wanted to negotiate peace Tom parked behind the half finished building checking his recording equipment everything baglia said would be captured doc dou umented preserved as evidence against Rick and his criminal Associates The Bodyguard arrived right on time alone as instructed
his face still showed bruises from their last encounter make this quick baglia growled I'm not supposed to be here Tom stepped from the Shadows tell me about Rick's operation the money laundering the protection rackets all of it you're crazy I'm not saying anything Tom pulled out his phone played a recording but AA discussing drug shipments naming names detailing criminal operations the bodyguards face went pale how did you your partner Caruso talks in his sleep hospital rooms have surprisingly thin walls tomk voice hardened start talking or this goes to the feds and the cosos baglia talked
for an hour he detailed Rick's crimes his connections to organized crime the complex web of corruption he built Tom recorded everything when baglia finished Tom handed him an envelope plane ticket to Miami cash for a fresh start disappear or the recording goes public The Bodyguard grabbed the envelope with trembling hands and fled Tom sent copies of the recording to multiple secure locations Insurance in case anything happened to him his phone buzzed Max sending coordinates time for the next phase Rick would be panicking now watching his Empire crumble Eleanor would be desperate her stolen money vanished
into untraceable accounts both of them Running Scared making mistakes Tom smiled in the darkness the Trap was sprung now came the fun part watching them destroy themselves trying to escape it chapter 8 the confrontation the warehouse District was deserted at this hour silent except for the distant Rumble of freight trains Tom parked his truck behind an abandoned loading dock and checked his weapons the Glock was clean loaded the backup piece strapped to his ankle not that he planned to need them his phone lit up with texts Danny Rick just tried accessing the accounts they're all
empty he's freaking out Mack castalano enforcers spotted at Rick's office they don't look happy Izzy Preston singing like a bird naming names dates everything the whole operations exposed Tom deleted the messages and Ste out into the night the warehouse ahead had been Rick's primary money laundering front wholesale electronics business that never seemed to ship any actual products now it would become the stage for Rick's downfall the security cameras were already disabled thanks to Danny's hacking skills Tom moved through the Shadows counting heartbeats right on schedule a black SUV pulled up to the loading dock Rick
stumbled out clutching a briefcase his expensive suit was rumpled his face pale with fear Two castalano Soldiers flanked him their expressions Grim the money's here Rick's voice cracked all of it just let me explain the larger Soldier grabbed the briefcase checked inside it's empty what no that's impossible Rick's eyes darted wildly it was just here someone must have you lost 10 million of the family's money the second Soldier growed Mr castalano wants answers Tom stepped into view enjoying Rick's look of Terror looking for this he held up a USB drive bank records transfer histories proof
of where all that money really went you Rick lunged forward but the soldiers held him back this is your fault no Rick this is your fault you got greedy sloppy Tom's voice was conversational did you really think you could steal from the mob and get away with it I didn't steal anything it was business really Tom turned to the soldiers check his offshore accounts the ones he thought were secret he's been skimming for years playing both sides the larger solders phone bust he checked it then nodded to his partner boss says it's true we found
the accounts Rick's face went ghost white no wait I can explain the boss doesn't want explanations the solders hand moved to his weapon he wants his money I'll get it back I just need time time's up Rick Tom's smile was cold the feds are closing in the judge is talking your whole operation's exposed the cosos can't risk keeping you alive please Rick turned to the soldiers I've Got dirt on everyone names dates recordings that's supposed to make us trust you more the solders gun appeared Tom stepped back into the sh Shadows goodbye Rick say hello
to your friends in Hell Rick screams echoed through the warehouse Two Shots muffled by suppressors then silence Tom waited until the SUV pulled away then made an anonymous call to the police they'd find Rick's body assume it was a mob hit Case Closed his phone buzzed Eleanor calling again this time he answered it's over he said before she could speak Rick's dead Torres isn't custody the money's gone Tom please her voice shook with tears I never meant for any of this save your lies I'm done listening what am I supposed to do I have nothing
left you've got exactly what you deserve tomk voice was Ice you chose this path now walk it alone he ended the call and drove to the motel where Eleanor was hiding she opened the door at his knock her designer clothes replaced by cheap Apartment Store where her makeup smeared from crying come to gloat she spat come to deliver your divorce papers and this he handed her an envelope containing proof of her involvement in Rick's crimes try anything this goes to the feds you'll join your brother in hell you can't prove anything want to bet Tom's
smile was terrible i've got recordings bank records witness statements everything Eleanor's shoulders slumped what you want sign the papers disappear never contact me or Ava again and if I don't then I destroy you completely your choice she signed Tom left her there sobbing in her cheap motel room her dreams of wealth and power shattered his phone buzzed I he calling with updates the investigation was proceeding exactly as planned Rick's death would be ruled a mob hit Torres was cooperating implicating everyone the cosos were turning on each other their empire crumbling Tom drove home satisfaction warming
his chest they tried to destroy him hurt his daughter steal everything he' built instead he'd annihilated them completely chapter 9 the aftermath sunlight streamed through the kitchen window as Tom made coffee properly this time no burning the morning papers headlin screamed major crime ring exposed below that prominent businessman found dead in Warehouse his phone buzzed Mack checking in it's all over the news Mack said Rick's murder Tores arrest the whole operation exposed you sure about this it's done Tom sipped his coffee the cosos think Rick stole their money the feds think it was a mob
hit case closed and Eleanor broke alone Running Scared she signed the papers this morning good Ma paed AA okay getting there she's coming home today after hanging up Tom reviewed the morning's reports Dany had erased all traces of their cyber operations Izzy had sealed the Case Files marking Rick's murder as solved organized crime the cosos were too busy dealing with Federal investigations to worry about revenge his doorbell rang Ava returning from Sarah's house she looked better her bruises fading her smile genuine hey Dad Tom hugged her gently welcome home baby girl I saw the news
she studied his face did you better if you don't ask questions you don't want answered Ava nodded mom called me what did she say beg me to help her said she was sorry that she had nowhere to go Ava's voice hardened I told her she should have thought about that before betraying us Pride swelled in tomk chest his daughter was strong like him unforgiving of betrayal his phone buzzed detective Ramirez just wanted you to know is he said Tores rolled on everyone judge Preston's going away for decades the whole corruption ring is exposed appreciate the
update Tom her voice softened it's over let it go now he ended the call and joined Ava in the kitchen she was making breakfast humming softly what now she asked now we rebuild together later alone in his study Tom reviewed the final pieces of his revenge the offshore accounts where he'd hidden Rick's stolen Millions insurance against future threats the files documenting Eleanor's crimes ready to destroy her if she ever returned the network of allies he' built Mack Dany Izzy loyal friends who understood the importance of Justice his phone buzzed one last time an unknown number
he answered cautiously Mr Walker a cultured voice probably castalano himself I want to thank you for exposing Rick's theft the family appreciates your discretion just wanted Justice indeed consider yourself under our protection no one will trouble you or your daughter again Tom smiled appreciate that he ended the call and deleted the number everything had worked perfectly his enemies destroyed his daughter safe his future secure the soldier in him recognized a complete Victory the doorbell rang Mack Danny and Izzy arriving for dinner his new family forged in battle tempered by loyalty Tom joined them accepting their
congratulations their concern their friendship he was no longer the naive man who trusted too easily he becomes something harder colder more dangerous but watching Ava laugh with their friends seeing her heal from the Betrayal he knew it had been worth it he protected What mattered destroyed those who threatened his family the war was over he' won and God help anyone who ever tried to hurt them again epilog 5 years later the Construction company's new headquarters stood proud against the city skyline Walker and Associates construction displayed in bold letters across the glass facade inside his top
floor office Thomas Walker reviewed the quarterly reports with the same intensity he once used to plan military operations at 50 his hair had more gray than dark now but his blue eyes retained their piercing focus and his body remained combat ready through discipline training the intercom bust Mr Walker your daughter's here send her in Ava stroe into the office now 26 and carrying herself with confident Grace her law degree hung on Tom's office wall paid for with Rick's stolen Millions a fact that always made him smile she'd specialized in Prosecuting Financial crimes turning their family's
tragedy into a weapon against others like Julian Torres ready for lunch dad Tom closed his laptop always how's the Martinez case going another wannabe Julian Torres Ava smile was sharp he thought he could run a real estate scam targeting elderly veterans bad choice judge granted all our motions this morning he's looking at 20 years minimum they took the elevator to the parking garage where Tom's new truck waited still practical but now topof the line some habits died hard heard from ma this morning Tom said as they drove the hospitals naming him chief of operations good
he deserves it Ava checked her phone Izzy's making deputy chief next month Danny's cyber security firm just landed another government contract their friends had prospered in the years since Eleanor and Rick's downfall loyalty had learned paid better dividends than betrayal the restaurant was upscale but discreet one of their regular spots the mat LED them to their usual corner table positioned to watch all entrances another habit that hadn't faded Sarah's getting married next month Ava mentioned as they studied the menus asked me to be made of Honor Tom nodded Sarah had been Ava Rock during the
darkest days offering shelter and support her family had become extended family family mom tried reaching out again Avis said quietly tomk hand tightened on his water glass when last week email from a new account Ava's voice was cold wanted to explain her side now that she's found peace or whatever I blocked her Tom nodded approval Eleanor had tried several times over the years to reconnect each attempt met with silence she' moved to Florida after the divorce remarried some retiree tried to rebuild her life Tom kept tabs on her through various channels not out of sentiment
but strategy know your enemies even defeated once any word on Rick's old Associates Ava asked cosos are mostly legitimate now the old man died last year his sons running clean businesses Tom had maintained a carefully neutral relationship with the crime Family mutual respect Mutual distance Julian still in prison another decade at least their meals arrived steak for Tom grilled salmon for Ava they ate in comfortable silence for a while companies expanding again Tom mentioned bought that development firm in Phoenix the one Rick tried to steal from that Widow Ava's smile was vindictive nice touch Tom
returned the smile the company's growth had been strategic methodical each acquisition either strengthened their position or settled old scores the millions he'd stolen from from Rick had been seed money for an empire built on legitimate success detective Rodriguez called yesterday Ava said remember that cold case they reopened Rick's murder tomk face revealed nothing oh officially closed now ruled a mob hit case in active Ava met his eyes no new leads they'd never discussed Tom's exact role in Rick's death Ava had never asked understanding some questions were better left unvoiced but she knew her father knew
what he was capable of knew he'd do anything to protect family after lunch they walked to the park where Ava had played as a child the old playground had been replaced by new equipment funded by an anonymous donation from Walker and Associates James proposed Avis said suddenly Tom turned to study his daughter James Chun was a prosecutor she'd met two years ago smart honest devoted to Ava Tom had run extensive background checks of course the man was clean what did you say said I needed to think Ava sat on a bench or to trust you
know after what happened with Mom James isn't Rick or Elanor Tom said carefully he's proven himself you approve I approve of anyone who makes you happy and treats you right tomk voice hardened and he knows what'll happen if he doesn't Ava laughed yeah he's terrified of you in a healthy way they they watched children play for a while parents hovering nearby normal lives normal concerns Tom sometimes wondered what that was like Izzy mentioned they found Eleanor's ex-boyfriend Julian's old storage unit Ava said lots of documents could cause problems for some people already handled Tom replied
Danny scrubbed anything sensitive far as anyone knows it was empty the company's cyber security division run by Dany with military grade prot calls had proven invaluable over the years information was power and Tom believed in controlling both his phone bust Max sending their monthly security report another ritual born of past betrayals trust but verify always Sarah wants you to walk her down the aisle Ava mentioned her dad's okay with sharing the honor Tom felt a warmth in his chest family wasn't always blood sometimes it was the people who stood by you in the Darkness they
walked back to the office passing the construction site for their newest project a women's shelter being built in partnership with Izzy's domestic violence task force another way of balancing scales dinner tonight Ava asked as they reached her car James wants to talk to you properly Tom nodded tell him to bring that bourbon he's been saving and remind him I'm an excellent shot Ava kissed his cheek love you Dad try not to terrorize my boyfriend friend too much no promises watching her drive away Tom reflected on the years since Eleanor's betrayal he'd rebuilt more than a
business Empire he'd forged a new family stronger than blood created a legacy built on loyalty instead of Lies back in his office Tom reviewed the day's reports construction projects across three states investment portfolios managed by trusted Associates security briefings from Danny's team a well build machine every part carefully controlled Max weekly checkin arrived by encrypted email Eleanor still in Florida new husbands Health failing no suspicious activities Julian denied parole again no outside contacts ctios business dealings clean territory stable judge Preston dead in prison natural causes baglia still in witness protection keeping his silence Tom archive
the report with 5 years of similar updates the past never died but it could be managed contained controlled his phone rang James Chun requesting a meeting before dinner probably wanting to do things properly asked permission old fashioned but Tom appreciated the gesture come by the office he told James we'll talk the young prosecutor arrived promptly suit pressed manner respectful but not fearful good signs sir I want to discuss Ava sit Tom gestured to a chair let's talk about your intentions two hours later satisfaction settled in tomk chest James had proven himself again honest about his
feelings clear about his plans unafraid to stand his ground when challenged a worthy partner for AA the engagement ring James showed him was elegant not flashy the prenup he proposed was fair his background remained clean his career TR trory solid most importantly he understood what family meant what loyalty required I'll never hurt her James promised never betray her trust no Tom agreed pleasantly you won't because you know what happens to people who hurt my family James met his eyes steadily yes sir I know exactly what happens Tom smiled the young man had done his research
understood the warnings wrapped in Rick's unsolved murder Ellen 's Exile Julian's downfall good welcome to the family son now about that bourbon later that night Tom stood at his office window watching his City Sparkle his Empire had been built on the ashes of betrayal forged in the fires of Revenge but it had become something more a fortress protecting those he loved a legacy worthy of his daughter's inheritance Eleanor and Rick had taught him valuable lessons about trust and betrayal he learned learned them well built his new life on their bitter wisdom now he had everything
they tried to steal wealth power respect and things they'd never understood loyalty family honor his phone buzzed with an alert from Danny's security team routine update nothing urgent the world turned threats emerged and were contained life went on but now he controlled the game instead of being played Tom smiled in the darkness remembering Eleanor's tears Rick's Terror Julian's pleas for Mercy they thought him weak predictable easily destroyed their mistake nobody would make that mistake again his new family Ava James Mack Izzy Danny even Sarah understood What mattered loyalty above all honor among Warriors protection for
those who earned it Destruction for those who betrayed it the past was settled the future secured and Thomas Walker stood guard over both unchanged in the ways that mattered a protector a warrior a man who never forgave betrayal and never forgot his enemies let anyone who doubted that truth ask Eleanor rotting in Florida Exile ask Julian growing old in prison ask Rick oh wait they couldn't ask Rick anything not anymore tomk smile widened as he turned from the window time to head home prepare for dinner with his growing family tomorrow would bring new challenges new
opportunities new chances to prove that loyalty mattered more than blood the war was long over he'd won it completely now he ruled the peace with the same Iron Will that had brought him Victory just as it should be just as it would always be after all something's never changed and Thomas Walker's dedication to protecting his family punishing those who threatened it would never change at all this is where our story comes to an end share your thoughts in the comments comment section thanks for your time if you enjoy this story please subscribe to this channel
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