The Next Day...
"Okay, guys. I know business has been slow lately. But, I feel this could be our best year yet."
The confident tone of Blitzo could be heard within the board room of the I.M.P. offices. Though they'd gone through what they had with the battle to return Evie home last year. Something Moxxie was happy to point out to his boss.
"Considering how much our stock has gone up since we rescued the Princess of Hell, rescued Evie. And, after we welcomed Eric into the fold years ago. Plus, with the denizen's confidence rising when it comes to hiring us. Business will, surely, pick up soon sir."
Blitzo couldn't help but agree with a nod to Moxxie. This was when Millie piped up.
"I'm sure we can find someone to hire us, Blitz." Millie turns her attention to the company's only Hell hound before asking. "Where is Eric anyway, Loona? It's not like him to be late for the morning briefing."
She looked up briefly from her phone to acknowledge Millie speaking to her. She answers whilst texting away on her phone.
"Dunno. He wasn't home when I woke up this morning. And, the kids haven't seen him either. So, I'm assuming he's on a job in another part of Hell for the Morningstar family. Or, he's on a freelance job for Stolas."
Blitzo suddenly remembered why Snow wasn't in the boardroom this morning. Since the immediate Murder Professionals had become a profitable business opportunity for the wealthy in Hell. His son-in-law had taken on more jobs on the company's behalf. Of course, he had to split his earnings 50/50. meaning, he had money for himself. And, the company profited from his escapades around Hell and on Earth.
Noticing no one else was going to mention anything else. Blitzo only had a few more things to add before dismissing everyone to the tune of, 'If something happens. I'll call you'. To him, there was no point in dragging on the meeting if his employees had their things to do. Just as he was exiting the room. He received a phone call from his husband, Stolas. Deciding to answer the call once he was next to his van. He answers once he enters the vehicle's driver's seat.
Blitzo's Van
"What is it, Stolas? I'm just coming home from work at the moment. Is it important?"
"Yes, Blitzy. It is important. Can you come directly home dear?"
"I was planning on it. No point beating a dead cat beyond its expiration date anymore."
Hanging up after saying goodbye. Blitzo sighed with a content sigh at how his life had gotten better. He knew this whenever he would come home to Stolas and his stepdaughter, Octavia. Looking at the image hanging from his in-car mirror. Blitzo teared up slightly when he looked at the happy family smiling back at him. The image in question showed Snow smiling while Blitzo smiled from his position within one of his son-in-law's headlocks to his left. All the while Loona looked content to be holding up the peace sign whilst cuddled into Snow's right side.
"You have no idea how much you've changed myself and Looney for the better, Eric."
He put his van into gear after Loona entered the van. Blitzo pulled out of the parking lot and drove away. He knew Snow liked the grind of being a professional assassin. But, if he ever saw Snow during the rare times the hybrid was home. He would try and tell Snow to calm down and spend more time with Loona and the kids.
Goetia Mansion in the Greed Circle of Hell
Octavia is seen reading a book on gadgets when she sees the old van pull into the driveway of the mansion. Seeing Blitzo sat with her stepsister in the passenger seat. Octavia calls out.
"Dad! Blitz's home."
Stolas, from his place on the main couch, looks up from his book to see that Octavia was, indeed, correct about Blitzo arriving through the front door with Loona. Though Blitzo had a neutral look on his features. He soon perked up a little when Stolas greeted him with a kiss and a cuddle to cheer up the imp. The sounds of feet approaching told Stolas and Blitzo that their grandchildren had heard one of their grandparents enter the home.
"Mom! Grandpa Blitzo!"
Octavia even smiled when she saw her nieces and nephew hug her stepsister and her stepdad. Even hearing the teenagers tell their mom about what they did today with their aunt Octavia.
"Mom, Grandpa Stolas is out of Mace Flakes again. Liz decided to devour the whole box."
Octavia chuckles to herself at what her oldest niece had done to annoy her sister again. Though Winter would get on Eliza's nerves sometimes. Insult and harm her sister while she was around? Not even their parents could save their kids from Eliza's wrath. Seeing the demons all grouped and talking to each other. Austin read the room and headed over to his aunt.
"I guess Gramps had a boring day at work again?"
Octavia nods. Takes what he can get, answers-wise, from his aunt. Austin deduces one thing.
"It's about dad again. Isn't it, Aunt Octavia?"
Octavia looks up from her book to nod at the seventeen-year-old hound standing beside her seat on the windowsill. The two watched on as observers of the conversation between their grandparents and Austin's mom. Octavia, well. She observed her stepsister, Loona. Several emotions crossed her red eye but, her face was even and unshakeable. But, since Snow had to work away a lot. No one had seen, or heard, from the hybrid since he became a profitable hit-demon. Octavia could tell Loona had learned from her husband how to hide her emotions when she was around her dad and kids. Her thoughts are interrupted by her father clapping his hands together and announcing.
"Splendid. I'll call ahead and get reservations for tonight!"
When she saw her father looking her way. She heard Stolas ask.
"Will you be joining us tonight, Starfire?"
Octavia nods consciously to answer her dad's question. Since Blitzo and her dad married. There were a few rare times when the family would eat out at a fancy restaurant when the servants had gone home for the night. Tonight, however, Stolas saw this as a way to, as Snow would put it, raise morale and cheer up his loved ones. Thinking about the male that treated her like a little sister. Octavia felt a little bit of joy knowing Snow would appreciate a good meal with his family. Even if she preferred her stepbrother's cooking.
Later in Octavia and Loona's Room
Octavia was checking herself out in the mirror when Loona kicked open the door and flung herself down onto her bed at her side of the room. Noticing Loona's red scarephone was held out. The Owlette noticed it was open on Loona's private messages when she walked over to check on her stepsister. Hearing quiet sobbing was all the action Octavia needed to gently ease Loona's grip on her phone to see what was wrong. The moment she saw the chat head with the name 'Snowman' at the top. That was all Octavia needed to see before running her hand across Loona's back and asking.
"You okay, Loona?"
The muffled noise that came from Loona pressing her face into her bed's many pillows confirmed Octavia's suspicions. This gave her permission to continue and ask.
"Wanna talk about it, sis?"
A muffled 'no' was Octavia's answer. This leads to her taking a seat beside Loona on the bed before speaking.
"You can't keep bottling this up, Loona. I'm your sister. You can always tell me what's on your mind. You know that, right?"
Loona nods into her pillow. Allowing Octavia to gently pry the crying Hell hound from her pillow. Once she had her sitting up to sit with the owlette. Her mascara was seen to be running down her cheeks from the crying she had been doing. Seeing Loona taking steady breaths to calm herself down. Octavia asks gently.
"Now, what's happened? You haven't cried this badly since Austin moved out to live with Mercedes."
She felt she could talk long enough despite the shuddering breaths she took. And, with the glare, she shot Octavia regarding her moment of weakness when Snow and herself saw off Austin to go live with his girlfriend. Loona answered her concerned stepsister.
"You know how Snow was supposed to be home tonight?"
"Yeah."
"Well... he's had to cancel due to a job he's taken on. He's just texted me saying he wishes he could be with us for the family dinner."
Octavia nods at Loona's answer. It wasn't like Snow to cancel so soon after being invited to eat out with the rest of his extended family. That was unless it was a serious job he'd taken on. Then he had no choice but to do the job. Plus, Evie was always left in Cassiel and Kai's care while Snow was away.
"It's not fair, Tavia."
Octavia looks at Loona when the hound says this. While the hound's head rested on her knees. And, sighing sadly at Loona's situation. Octavia tries her best to offer her sister hope.
"I think it's hurting Snow too, Loona. Judging by the messages he's sent you. He wanted to see you and the kids."
Loona nods. Octavia knew that look of longing anywhere from the hound she was sitting beside. Seeing Loona look away. Octavia knew something else was playing on the hound's mind. Call it intuition and, deciding to go with her senses, she asks.
"You're not just disappointed about your husband not coming home tonight. Are you, Loona?"
Loona blushes beet red at her stepsister catching her out for not saying anything. Getting the answers she wanted. Octavia persists.
"Come on, sis. I'm sure Snow knows you two haven't done it in a while."
This was where Loona snapped at Octavia from out of the blue. Making the Owlette jump when Loona rounded on her with her fangs bared in a snarl.
"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVEN'T HAD SEX IN A WHILE, OCTAVIA!"
Octavia was taken aback by the hound's sudden outburst of anger. Even continuing with her snarling while she continued to snap.
"ERIC SNOW IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EVER MADE ME FEEL LIKE THIS SHITTY WORLD GIVES A DAMN ABOUT ME! HE… he's the only one who can sexually satisfy me."
It was Octavia's turn to turn bright red at Loona's admission. Then again, it didn't take long for Octavia to put it together when she remembered spying on Loona and Snow having sex through the keyhole to the broom closest two weekends ago. This was before Snow had to go on another job. It was the only way the two could satisfy each other's lust before they had to be apart for months on end.
"Girls, are you ready to go?"
Octavia was thanking some unholy deity that Blitzo had called up from the bottom of the stairs to them. Saving Octavia's blushes further after hearing Loona sigh in relief that she didn't have to spill any more of her secrets to the Owlette. The two looked at each other at their saving grace coming from their dad. The two adults got off of the bed to go to separate sides of their rooms where their wardrobes were. While they were changing out of their casual attires into something decent for the restaurant they were going to tonight. Loona calls over to Octavia.
"Hey… Octavia."
"Yeah, sis?"
Octavia responds casually when she turns to face a small smiling Loona looking at her in appreciation when she continues.
"Thanks for listening to me."
Octavia nods happily in response. She was just glad Loona could confide in her when it mattered. Pulling her sparkly black dress over her underwear-covered body. Octavia was the first one to get changed. Closely followed by Loona. Once the two were ready. They exited their room to meet the rest of their family by Stolas's car. Tonight was a night for the Goetia family to cheer themselves up from the events that had happened.
Somewhere in Hell
The sound of a Phone Ringing
"Snowman here."
"Good. Do you remember which part of Hell your targets are in, Snow?"
The hybrid pulls a photo out from his dark brown leather jacket pocket. Looking at the sleazy scumbags in the picture. The hitman says with a hint of venom in his voice.
"Yeah, she's recently moved her operations to the Greed Ring of Hell. Penelope Snow. The bitch has a lot to answer for."
"That's her, Snow. That bitch was acquitted of all of her crimes by a jury of her peers and corrupt officials. She and her bodyguard are now high-value targets. Hell, the Princess herself wants her dead for what she did to you and Eliza."
The male growls angrily. He was familiar with his ex-wife and former bodyguard. But, to those who don't know the story. And, you're just reading my stories for the first time. Penelope, Eric, and Murphy used to be cruel individuals on Earth. But, after Murphy killed Penelope and Snow's daughter, Eliza. And, during a raid on Snow's assets. Penelope, in her act of greed. And, with Murphy's help, she shot Eric down in cold blood. The rest, as they say, is history.
Now that she was back in the picture again in Hell. Eric was hell-bent on ending these two pests once and for all. Loading Mistress and Cerberus. His handler spoke again to give Genesis one more, crucial, detail.
"We've had reports that Murphy and Penelope plan on hitting a restaurant in the Greed Ring tonight. Considering they have associates there that will hide them in plain sight from prying eyes. It's your job to weed them out and end them. Once and for all. Good luck Snowman."
"Understood, Rouge. Snowman out."
Turned off his earpiece and made sure he'd turned the safety off on his guns. The male made his way down to his truck by way of jumping down from the building he was on. Entering the pick-up truck with the black and red body paint. And, turning on the radio the moment he sits in the driver's seat. 'Bad Moon Rising' is heard being played as he peels away in the truck at high speeds. He was going to put an end to the two pests that haunted him and Eliza. Once and for all.
Greed Ring with The Goetia Family
The imp head waitress was delighted to see the restaurant's high-class regulars walk through the swinging glass doors. Being led by Stolas and Blitzo. The family made its way into the center of the room where the imp was awaiting them.
"Good evening your highness. The usual table for seven?"
"Of course, Madeline."
"Right, this way, Prince Stolas."
Stolas smiled warmly at the imp leading them towards their regular table. Following behind their dads. We can hear Octavia telling Eliza to keep off of her phone while she is out with the family. Loona was seen walking with Winter holding her hand while the young teen carried her one-year-old baby sister towards the table they usually sat at. How was she supposed to know of the presence of someone about to sit at the restaurant's bar area?
With The Genesis Hitman
Pulling up outside of the prestigious establishment and cutting off his radio while it was, now, playing 'In The Heat of The Night' by Star Pilots. The hybrid gave himself some time to mentally prepare himself while changing into some smart clothes so he didn't stand out like a sore thumb to his targets within the high-end establishment.
'It's Showtime'.
With those words in his mind, Snow stepped out of his van. Closing the door behind him before locking it. The hitman straightens up his shirt's sleeve cuffs before taking a deep breath. With his guns concealed under his dinner jacket. He knew the imp bouncer had spotted the well-dressed hitman walking towards the doors of the establishment. Causing the imp doing his job to put a hand out to stop him before asking.
"Name, sir?"
"Eric Snow. My family is in there expecting me."
Checking the clipboard in front of him. The imp was about to turn the tall demon away before a stack of cash was handed to him while no one was looking. Seeing the cash in his hand. The imp looked at Snow before the tall hybrid spoke.
"Take the night off and go spend time with your kids. You've done your job exceptionally well tonight, sir."
The imp looked both ways to make sure none of his superiors were looking at the hitman handing the bouncer the bribe before he took the cash. Stuffing it into the inside of one of his pockets inside his tuxedo jacket. He replied with a smile and a new vigor.
"You never saw me."
The hitman nods with a small smirk on his face. Making sure the imp had jumped into his beat-up Ford Gremlin and sped away. Eric entered the establishment. Phase one was complete. Phase two would soon have a wrench thrown into the works.
Inside
The sight of a male wearing black leather gloves and a dinner suit was the sight the barmaid beheld the moment the hybrid stood at the bar. He took off his shades before surveying his surroundings. The male speaks.
"Genocide on the Rocks. Skip the lime."
The barmaid nods. This was how the hitman knew the staff was in on his plan to eradicate a target. Soon, an envelope and a glass of Genocidal Gene's Whiskey are in front of the hybrid surveying the restaurant.
"Enjoy."
"Thanks, Annie."
The barmaid smiles and walks away. Leaving the male to the file he had before him. Giving it a quick skim. The folder soon finds itself in the male's dinner jacket. Turning around to survey the restaurant properly. The male takes his time with his surveillance of the surrounding tables before him. He smiles warmly when he sees a certain hound sitting with the rest of the Goetia family. They were seen to be sitting around a big table near a stage where the artists were playing some upbeat classical bullshit. This leads to him saying within his thoughts at the sight of his beloved Hell Hound.
'Oh thank fuck. I made it in time!'
'Snowman, are you there?'
The hitman's thoughts are, thankfully, interrupted by the voice of Rouge on the other end of his earpiece. Acknowledging his handler, he replies.
"I'm here."
"Thank goodness. I thought Jimmy had given you the wrong address for the location."
This earns his handler a small chuckle from the male communicating with Rouge. Taking a sip of his whiskey. She continued with her next question for the male.
"Was the intel we got for you credible, Snow?"
"It was Rouge. Penelope and Murphy should be dragging their soon-to-be-dead carcasses in here shortly. Any… second… now."
Just as the male guessed. The only two demons to make his blood boil, whilst dressed like a nineteen-fifties mobster and his wife, soon walked their asses through the door. This one sight alone made the male sick to his stomach before Rouge responded.
"Remember, Snowman. You're only here to kill Penelope and Murphy. No one else needs to be killed tonight. Am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am. Snowman out."
Turning off his earpiece again. The male makes sure he is not making himself seem too obvious that he is scoping out his targets. His thoughts were broken when a familiar voice spoke up beside him.
"Two dry Martinis, three fizzy orange bombs, and two beers."
This was the first time in two weeks he'd seen his father-in-law in person. The last time he saw Blitzo was on his wedding day to Stolas. Once the barmaid walked away to fill Blitzo's order. The imp noticed the tall stranger nursing his whiskey when he asked.
"Snow?"
Grabbing Blitzo's mouth to shut him up so the imp didn't blow his cover. Eric says calmly.
"Follow me, Dad. It's not safe to talk out here."
Blitzo manages to get free long enough to glare at his daughter's husband before saying quietly.
"Why are you here?! You told Looney you couldn't make it to dinner tonight because of your fucking job!"
Eric feels a pang of guilt hit him when he sighs sadly in response. Taking a sip of his drink, he responds.
"Sorry about that Blitz. But, if you just follow me into the bathroom for a second. I'll tell you all. But, not out here. I… I just don't want Eliza to see who just entered the restaurant."
Blitzo follows his son-in-law's finger toward Penelope and Murphy. The sight of the couple that haunted Snow and Eliza made Blitzo's blood boil in anger. The moment Murphy looks towards the bar. Eric was no longer standing at the bar. But, Blitzo was. So, I asked Austin to follow him into the toilets. Blitzo moves away from the sleaze bag's lines of sight into the bathroom to meet with Snow.
Men's Bathroom
Moving Blitzo in front of him. And, once Austin had locked the door behind him after making sure Murphy and Penelope hadn't spotted them enter the men's room. Eric could speak normally without being listened in on by his targets.
"Sorry to have to call you both in here. But, this job is of the utmost importance right now".
"What's going on Dad? Why are we having to hide in here with you?"
Austin asked quizzically whilst his dad was peeping through the window to see if Murphy was moving towards the bathroom. Luckily for Snow. His former bodyguard was minding his own business at the bar. So, with this new tidbit to go on. Eric answers his only son.
"Has your mother, sister, or Blitz here, filled you in on who Eliza's real mother is, Austin?"
That was when silence descended in the room. Seeing Austin didn't have a clue. Blitzo fills in the blanks for his grandson.
"The fact she has the nerve to resurface after you killed the last goon she sent after Eliza."
Austin was getting slightly frustrated by his grandfather and dad's vagueness in the situation. Luckily, Snow knew Austin's questioning look needed an answer.
"Penelope Snow. Eliza's birth mother. And, my ex-wife. She's the reason I am in Hell now. And, she is the reason your little sister is here too. She shot me through the head…"
Eric moves some hair from his forehead to show Austin the bullet-shaped scar on his forehead. Before continuing.
"… And, Murphy hung your little sister from a lamppost after beating her down with a crowbar."
Austin stood stock still. But, if you could look closely dear readers. You will see Austin's eyes widen in fury. And, his body shaking in anger. Luckily, Blitzo was on hand to calm his grandson down. He is surprised when Snow speaks up.
"Austin."
Looking at his dad. The tall hound is standing by the door when he acknowledges his dad's next request.
"Make sure your sister remains unaware of her birth mother's presence. I want you and Wyn to keep her distracted while I do my job. Can you do this for me, Oz?"
Austin nods. He wanted a reason to turn into the protective big brother. Now, he had a bigger reason than normal upon exiting the bathroom. Leaving Blitzo with Snow about to speak to him. Only for Blitzo to cut him off.
"You're my son-in-law now, Snow. If you need me or Looney at any point. You give us a shout. We'll gladly help you fuck-up that bitch who dared kill my daughter's husband and stepdaughter."
Eric chuckles warmly at the response from Blitzo. Letting him go so he could go about his job. Eric feels his spirits rise from speaking with his father-in-law. And getting his support if he needed it.
Back With The Goetia Family
While sipping the bottle of beer in front of her and, letting her eyes wander around the establishment while Octavia entertained Evie. Loona's eyes soon caught onto the glint of light that shone on a familiar-looking ring baring left hand. Well, I say Loona caught on first. It was Winter who spotted the ring-wearing left hand while the tall gentleman was walking by some tables in the distant part of the establishment. Loona would soon know the moment Blitzo looks over at Snow checking and cocking his pistols. Leading to Loona asking.
"When did Snow get here?"
Blitzo acknowledges Loona with his index finger up to let her know that he needs a minute before he answers. Once he is seated, he takes his husband's clawed hand in his. Blitzo answers his daughter.
"Don't worry about it, Looney. He's casing the joint for his job. He'll be joining us once the job is finished."
At the very mention of 'the job' Blitzo mentioned. Loona and Octavia looked at each other before looking with questioning eyebrows raised towards their smaller dad. This was where Winter interjected for her mom and aunt.
"Dad's about to kill someone. And, judging by Austin shaking in rage and Grandpa refusing to elaborate. It's a personal issue Dad shared with them. And, he intends on resolving it."
This led to Stolas looking at his tiny husband in worry. Luckily, Blitzo answered his granddaughter, just to put Stolas at ease.
"Exactly, Winter. But, firstly, didn't you say Winter needed Eliza's help with something back at home, Oz?"
Eliza looked up at her step-grandad confused. That was until Austin piped up to continue the act.
"I remember now gramps! Liz, didn't you say you wanted to help Winter find her phone she'd lost outside?"
"But Winter has her phone in her jeans pocket."
Austin facepalms. Deciding on a different approach, he takes his sisters over to the dance floor. Just at the moment. That was when tonight's entertainment made themselves known on stage in front of the family's table. It was a small-time imp band that was performing tonight. What shocked Blitzo was the fact that Moxxie was fronting the imp musicians with his acoustic guitar.
"Good evening folks. I'm Moxxie. And, the guys and gal behind me are my performing group for tonight. I have a few songs to sing tonight. I hope you all enjoy it since, well, I don't normally perform crowds after what happened at Ozzie's."
"YOU GOT THIS FATTY!"
Moxxie scanned the crowd for the heckler that had shouted that towards him. When he saw Loona with the kids, Octavia, Stolas, and Blitzo. He smirked with a shake of his head before beginning to perform. He was unaware of his songs becoming the soundtrack to Snow making his move to kill his ex-wife and bodyguard. He didn't have to wait long before a burly hellhound seated himself next to the hitman. Eric had never met the hired muscle before. But, something told him that, the hound keeping him company. It was Penelope and Murphy's hired muscle sent to distract him so the two could make their move toward the teen on the dance floor. Seeing what was about to play out. The hound spoke to Snow while sitting behind him.
"Enjoying the entertainment?"
Eric nods while his hand is reaching for Mistress attached to his right thigh. This wasn't the hybrid's first rodeo. He knew Murphy had dispatched this hound to deal with the hybrid sitting on a stool at the bar. He just needed the hound to slip up before he jumped into action. That action would soon come the minute he saw the two slimy bastards approaching Austin, Winter, and Eliza dancing on the floor. But, it's what the hound said to him that made Snow draw the knife from his belt sheath instead.
"Your children look tasty. So pure and clean."
Snow had heard enough. When the hound turned back to face him. He was soon gasping for breath the moment the knife was slashed deep along the hound's throat. Spraying the male with blood. Once the hound dropped dead. Eric began to make his move to protect his kids from the two demons coming to get them.
Seeing Snow moving towards the dance floor. That was when Blitzo realized what was going on. Turns to see Penelope and Murphy moving towards his and Stolas's grandkids. He nudges Loona who, in turn, signals to Moxxie while he is strumming his guitar during the song playing. Soon, the whole place would be turned into a war zone. Only, the Goetia family would be the ones walking out of it unscathed.
Later
Wiping the blood from his face. And, after being cleared by his dispatch for a job well done. Eric is seen walking out of the men's room in a clean black dinner suit when he joins his family at the table they were situated at. With Moxxie still playing while the clean-up crew disposed of the bodies. Snow kissed his wife and hugged his sister-in-law in greeting before taking a seat. Eric makes sure he is seated with his drink when the older kids walk back to the table.
"Glad to see you've finally turned up, Dad. How's your week been?"
Eliza asks the minute she sits back at the table with Winter and Austin. Eric merely chuckles in response before tickling Evie under her chin. Making the little hybrid coo and laugh at her dad tickling her. Luckily, Stolas spoke up.
"Judging by the horrid business my husband, stepdaughter, and grandkids had to help you with not too long ago. I'm assuming that's normal for you Snow?"
The hybrid nods before replying.
"Unfortunately, it is Stolas. The demons you witnessed Loona, Austin, Blitz, Moxxie and I murder. It is an old wound from the past that needed stitching up. Something that needed to be eradicated so Eliza could sleep at night."
This causes Eliza to speak up.
"My mother had been a thorn in mine and my dad's side since they murdered us on Earth years ago. Seeing her suffer like that in Mom, Dad, Austin, Winter, and Grandpa's hands? Good god, that was therapeutic."
"Remind me never to get on your bad side then, Liz."
Eliza merely chuckles to answer her stepmother. Something Snow was happy to fill Loona in on.
"Don't worry, Loona. Remember, you're safe with me and Eliza. Plus, she thinks of you as a better mother than Penelope."
Loona smiles warmly towards Eliza. While everyone tucked into their meals. Eric couldn't help but smile warmly at his small family being together for one meal.