LOVING IS SIN

CHAPTER 2

It's Just Business

The street lights would light up the road as a black Toyota Supra mk3 GT sped on down the road. The engine hum was music to the ears of the one driving it. Arackniss would have one hand on the steering wheel. One holding a smoke as the window was down halfway so the smoke would roll out. He had just dropped off his brother Angel Dust at the hotel. He was thinking about what he was heading too. What he was about to get to doing.

Parking his car on the side of the road of the strip. He got out and tossed his smoke away. His black fedora hung low over his brow as he shut the door. Dressed in a black suit and white undershirt he moved his way into the apartment building. Inside there was no one at the front desk. Taking his chance he moved up the wooden stairs. The wood would creak when he stepped on them. He didn't care if anyone heard him. He walked up the flight of stairs till he got to a single door. Opening it up and stepping onto the roof of the building. Looking to his right after the door shut. There was his suitcase. Exactly how he left it.

Opening it up he would see a broken down rifle. Getting the pieces out and getting the rifle fully operation. The rifle was a M1 Garand. Its wooden furniture was well taken care of. On the buttstock of the rifle were some notches. Showing the number of kills. It having a solid 20 marked. Last thing was the scope. A simple 4x ranging sight. Screwing it on he would check down the sight to see it was working just fine. No cracks or scuff marks on the scope. Now fully done he would stand up and look down at the street below him. He was in the middle of the strip. He was a hitman for hire as a side gig. And someone wanted someone else dead. Pulling back some on the charging handle he would see it loaded with rounds. Fully loaded and ready to go.

His target was someone who went by the name of "Heckler." He was a tall hell hound who had made his living on the drug business down here. When Arackniss heard about the target he was rather surprised a Hell Hound got that far. They were one of the lowest in society next to Imps. At least that was how they were looked at by some. Most others didn't give a damn who you were. As long as you showed respect. He was told he had grey and white fur. Dressed in more modern attire. Baggy jeans and a white tank top. His phone would ring as he pulled it out of his suit pocket. Seeing it was a text message from the one who hired him. Saying he was about to leave the theater. This was one of the many theaters on the strip. He was glad he got the name before hand. The Trench Theater was a theater for war movies. Old ones to new ones that the living world would still be making. He had seen a few of them. Mostly the World War 2 ones. Saving Private Ryan was still his all time favorite. Setting his phone back into his suit pocket he rested the rifle on the brick overhang. Looking through the scope as he saw people starting to leave the theater. Looking through the crowd as he searched for his target. After a few seconds of searching he found his man. There he was. Standing and talking to what seemed like a friend or business partner. The two sharing a laugh after it seemed Heckler told a joke. Arackniss would breath in and steady his aim. The crosses right on the forehead. Letting his breath out slowly he pulled the trigger. The rifle would ring out a blast. And in an instant Heckler would fall to the ground. His head splitting open from the .308 round that just made waste to what was there. The crowd would start to scatter. A few guards would pull their guns and look around to try and find the killer. But they wouldn't be spotting him up here. That was a solid 200 meter shot. Good luck. Confirming the kill, he would watch as the body would twitch and soon stop moving. Oh yeah he was done for. For the next few decades at least.

Now it was time to get lost. Turning around he would go to the suitcase and start to take apart the rifle. Fitting it in the case before shutting it and locking it. Calmly standing up as he moved back down the stairs. This time however he had a silver model 15 revolver. Loaded up with .38 specials. Eraser rounds of course. He walked down the stairs with it drawn. Ready for a fight if they figured out where he was. Getting all the way down into the lobby he would see the desk receptionist look to him. A bored look on her face. She was a small Imp. Her red skin color glowing as the light hit her.

"I didn't see nothin' dear." She says and he would nod and head on out the front door. Back to his car as he set the suitcase in the back. Getting in and speeding off down the road. He would pull out his phone as he called his contact. After a moment or so he would hear the other side pick up.

"Good work. Money is in the bank now. Thanks."

"Don't mention it." With that he hung up and headed back home to his safe house.

Arriving to his home he would park his car inside his garage. Pushing a button that was clipped above him on the sun visor that controlled the garage door. The garage closing fully with its loud mechanical grinding. Shutting the car off he would get out and headed inside. His home was a small two-story house that was made of hard concrete. On the first floor was a home gym that he used to keep his form up. After all he had to in his line of work. A kitchen was across the way from the gym. Spotless high tech kitchenware decorated the white marble counter tops. The rooms were separated by dark brown wooden floors that went down the hall. Leading to a bathroom and the laundry room. In the far right corner was a spiral staircase that led upstairs to the second floor. Putting his hat on the hat rack that was beside his garage door he would head upstairs. Upstairs was the living room, master bedroom, and the sliding door that led out to the balcony. As he walked between one of his large couches and the custom-made oak wood coffee table, he turned the 80-inch flat screen TV on. It being on some TV show. Setting the remote down he headed down the now carpeted floored hallway. Getting to his bedroom and getting undressed from today. Getting in some boxers and that was all. Moving back out he would be heading into the living room as he would suddenly hear someone clear their voice.

"Tough day?" Arackniss would freeze as he saw one of his family members. The spider demon was a silver haired one. He was dressed in a dark blue suit. Fitting with a fedora that matched.

"Ah Charley. What are are you doing here?" Arackniss asked as he would be on edge a little. How did he get in without him knowing?

"Relax. I ain't here to off ya. I am here to see how your job went. Made quite a scene down there at The Trench. After I saw that shot. I knew it was you. His guards had no idea haha." Charley would move and sit down on the couch. Arackniss joining him as he rested back into the soft cushions. The light grey color fit well with the dark carpet flooring.

"Yeah heh. Thanks. So, you just came to hang out? Don't you got anything better to do?" Charley would shrug as he fished out a pack of smokes. Offering one to Arackniss who would take one. The two lighting up.

"Business has been smooth. Honestly in my opinion a little too smooth. I mean I like not having to deal with wannabe gangsters or someone touching my shit. But you know what I mean. When it doesn't happen, you are a little off." Nodding Arackniss would blow some smoke up into the air.

"I can understand. Well need a drink?" Charley took his offer up as Arackniss moved off the couch. Going to a bar that sat behind them against the far wall. Getting out some rum and coke from the mini fridge. Getting some ice he would come back with two glasses. Handing Charley one.

"Thanks. Hey your brother seems to be doing good. I was surprised that he bit his tongue when your father said that to him at dinner." Arackniss moved forward and tapped some ashes into the ashtray on the table.

"Yeah, afterwards trust me he was fuming. I wonder how many in the family think the way he does. Or just go along with it to not get wacked." Charley would shrug. Tapping some of his own ashes out.

"Bets me. I don't care you know that. We are in hell for fucks sake. Only thing I don't like is that Val guy. What is his full name?" Charley sipped out of his glass some. Enjoying the small talk he was having with Arackniss.

"Valentino. He is just an over egoed pimp. Overlord my ass. Yeah so what he controls the sex rings on the strip. Only reason he hasn't been iced is because he is in bed with Vox. Who happens to be one of our main clients." Arackniss says and let out a sigh. Why did his brother have to make a deal with that bag of filth.

"Last I heard you set him straight. Made him give Angel a raise and to not touch him." Downing the rest of his drink he set the glass down. Finishing his smoke as well. Smashing the bud into the ashtray some. Putting it out.

"Yeah shot up some of his goons. He knew I wouldn't kill him. So I made him a deal." Charley would start to laugh some.

"Haha yeah you made a deal alright." Arackniss groaned and would finish his drink and smoke.

"Yeah yeah laugh it up. My ass hurt for a week after that." Charley would burst out laughing as Arackniss would just roll his eyes. But couldn't help but let a small smirk creep through.

"God that was all over the family. You are so lucky your father never found out." He says and would calm down from his laughing fit. "Hey Arackniss. Thanks for this. I mean I kinda invited myself in. But you know." Arackniss would wave him off. Leaning back into the couch again.

"Don't worry about it. Just stay safe Charley." Arackniss would close his eyes some to try and unwind from today's events. He only closed them for a second or two when he would look to see Charley was gone. That was Charley. He could appear and disappear in a blink of an eye. Arackniss was slick himself. But his cousin took it to a whole new level.

Seeing he was alone he would look to the TV. Seeing some show called "Imp Lives." Seeming to be a reality show about the lives of some Imps. Arackniss would chuckle softly as he watched a male Imp try and shoot a Tommy gun. Which was way too big for him. Sending him flying back like a cartoon. Arackniss wouldn't stay up too late. He had work to do when he woke. Turning the TV off after watching it for only an hour. He would move down the hallway and to bed. Quickly passing out under his covers.

The next day Arackniss was up and out on the streets again. He was heading to meet a client at a local café. He didn't know if it was family business or if someone wanted someone dead. Parking his car on the side of the street he would get out and walk down the sidewalk a little ways. Entering a café by the name of "Lava Coffee." He would walk with his hands in his suit side pockets. Moving to the outside patio area. There he would see a tall skinny humanoid. Dressed in a black trench coat and top hat. Arackniss sat down across from him at the table. The tall creature would nod to him.

"Good to see you Arackniss." He said as he had a hard upper class British accent. Having big white eyes with no pupils. One having a monocle as the gold chain hung down some.

"Nice to see you as well Jack. How is the business?" He asked as the tall brit would reach into his pocket and pull out a joint. Offering it to him. Arackniss would decline. Shrugging he put it back inside his coat.

"It's going well. Not as well as I want it too. I have a small problem. And who else to call but you if I have a problem." A waitress would come over. Looking like a succubus to Arackniss as she would ask what he wanted.

"Just a coffee. One sugar and one creamer." She nods and heads off. Arackniss looking back to focus on Jack.

"And what is this little problem of yours?" Arackniss would ask as he would sit up straight. Two arms on the table as he looked up to Jack.

"Just a certain bloke who things I owe him some of my empire." With that Jack would reach back into his coat. Pulling out a picture. Handing it down to Arackniss. Taking it he gave it a look over. The target was one of Jack's underlings. In fact it was his 2nd in command, Leo. He was a short mouse who was known for his ruthlessness to people who would cross him. Looking up to Jack again he pocketed the picture.

"He is your right hand. What did he do?" Arackniss asked. Jack would reach down and pick up his tea. Taking a soft ship before setting it back down.

"I have hard evidence that he is trying to over throw my position. Which wouldn't be good for me or your family. I need this dickhead gon' an out of my sight." He says as Arackniss nodded some.

"How much for the hit?" Jack would answer in pulling out his check book and a pen. Looking to Arackniss for a number. Arackniss would think about it and then smirk.

"I will do it for 50." With that Jack wrote a check out for 50k. Handing it to Arackniss as he would take it and pocket it.

"I know you usally get paid after. But this isn't our first deal. I know you will get it done." Arackniss nodded and the waitress came back and handed him his coffee.

"Is that all business or is there more?" Jack shook his head and would drink his tea.

"No that is all. Well for now. We got some time. What has been happening in the world of Arackniss?" Jack would sip his tea as he would cross his long thin legs. Waiting to hear from his good business partner.

"Not much. You know I can't speak openly about family matters. But for personal matters. I paid Valentino a little visit." Jack would nod and sip his tea again.

"Yeah I heard. Quite a video." Arackniss would blush some as Jack chuckled. "I'm joking lad. I just heard about it. But we have been keeping it down for you. Don't want your dad finding out. Oh dear that would be rather dreadful."Arackniss would drink his coffee as Jack grinned some.

"Yeah thanks for that. Let's change the subject. Already got enough shit for that. Not sure why I even brought it up. What about you? What has Jack been up too?" Jack would shrug and put his empty cup of tea down.

"Oh nothing on my end either. Just some tiding up here and there. Business is running rather smooth. Oh, I did meet this rather out spoken imp. Saw him at a theater. He was yelling into his phone at none other than Stolas. Seems Stolas has found some imp to pleasure him." Arackniss would roll his eyes. Why did he feel like he knew this imp Jack spoke of.

"Stolas. I haven't spoken to him in a few. He has a daughter right? How old is she now?" He would take another sip of his coffee.

"I believe 16. If I am not mistaken." Arackniss would go a little wide eyed. Realizing it's been more than a few it seemed.

"Been that long already? I really need a vacation." Jack would let out a soft chuckle. The two would suddenly be interrupted by Jack's phone going off. Looking to see who it was. He would smirk some. Then put his phone back into the coat.

"It was nice seeing you Arackniss. But your target is on the move." Arackniss nodded and would toss down some money to pay for his coffee. Pulling out a smoke as Jack would grimace.

"You have to stop smoking. It will kill you." He said and then would laugh some at his own joke. Arackniss would just shake his head and light his smoke. Heading back to his car.

Arackniss got a text from Jack. Telling him where to go. It was on the other side of Pentagram city. After a solid 30-minute drive he arrived at a warehouse near an airstrip. The airstrip was used for commercial planes traveling through the rings of hell. The warehouse was a storage front for the movement of drug. Meaning there could be a good amount of people he would need to get through. Shutting his car off he stepped out. Parking it a few hundred yards from the entrance of the warehouse parking lot. Getting to the back of the car. He would pop the trunk. Seeing a small armory. Thompson sub machine guns, B.A.R machine gun, a few pistols, and some shotguns. He would grab the Thompson loaded with a drum magazine. 50 rounds full of silver tips that would make any sinner or demon a goner. He shut the trunk as he would began to walk towards the warehouse. Right when he got up to the front gate a loud explosion would be heard. Arackniss looked to see who had caused that. And in the sky was a large air ship. It shooting missiles out and hitting the warehouse parking lot and the warehouse itself. People came running out of the warehouse and fired onto the ship. That ship. It looked so familiar. Wait...it was Sir Pentious! What was he doing here! Arackniss would shake his head and look to the people firing onto the ship. Walking forward he put the tommy on his hip and began to fire. Ripping through the many sinners as they had no idea he was there. The shells falling to the ground as he walked forward slowly. Gunning down the enemy left and right. He would feel the gun stop firing. Tossing it aside he picked up another weapon. Seeing it was an Ak-47. He would run to cover as he could hear more gun fire coming from inside the warehouse. Seeing the coast was clear he ran inside the half blown building. He saw some goons firing onto the ship. Aiming in he fired small bursts. Taking them out quickly. Seeing some steel stairs he would run up them. The metal clanging under him. At the top of the stairs was another sinner. Arackniss filling him full of holes. The rest of the mag going into him. Pushing him off the siderail the lifeless body fell down. Pulling out his revolver he would run across the cat walk. Getting to the office door. Kicking it in he would be greeted by Sir Pentious having his target wrapped in his body. The two looking to the door as Pen would gasp.

"N-Nissy?" Pentious would softly say as he would let go of Leo. Who fell to the floor coughing for air.

"W-What are you doing here Pen?" Arackniss asked as Pen would slither up to Arackniss.

"I uh..well L-Leo here cheaped me out on my air ship. So I came back and wanted to make a deal with him."

"Fuck you Pen! Your deal was trash mate. You think you can come here and just attack one of our warehouses?" Leo said as he laid on the ground panting.

"Seems it's not going so well huh?" Arackniss would walk past Pen. Looking down at the mouse on his back.

"Ah you gonna let me live, right? Jack hired you to come and save me?" Leo said as he would chuckle up to Arackniss.

"Sorry bud. Not exactly." Leo's face would slowly fall to a frown from his smile.

"Hey listen we can talk this out. We don't have to get personal ok?" He would say as his voice was getting shakey.

"It's nothing personal Leo." Arackniss would pull the hammer back on his revolver. Pointing it to the forehead of Leo.

"It's Just Business"

*Author notes*

Hey everyone! I hope you are enjoying this story so far! I know the story is going a little slow. But I want the first few chapters to be building. I don't want to just jump into the hard action and romance to quickly! Also I just wanted to say that if any of you have ever seen AxelGear on YouTube. He does a great Arackniss series. I highly recommend looking him up and listing to his stuff! A few of the small talk between characters in my story have some relations to his little series. Now I am not trying to steal his thunder! I just enjoyed his stuff so much I liked how it would fit in the story. So its like little easter eggs! Honestly anything I find that I enjoy from the community I will try and put it in the story as long as it works! Again not trying to steal anything or take credit. Just like to pop them in again as teasers or easter eggs for the reader to enjoy if they know about it! Anyways see you in the next chapter! Take care!