A/N: This is a continuation from chapter 49.

GAVIN.

"The password is….fuck…I’m bleeding out.” Pat replied, shaky breaths departing her noir lips. She was right, blood was spurting from her lesions, pooling on the tiled floor.

“If you want us to stop the bleeding, you’re gonna start by giving us the answers we need.” Natasha didn’t seem at all affected by her pleas. Damn. She was really good at this whole bad cop thing.

“Fine. Fine. The password is Monisha.” She divulged, beads of sweat dampening her brow.

“That was not hard now, was it Patty?” Grabbing the laptop, Natasha sat on the bed and typed the password then started going through the contents of the laptop.

"My name is Pat.” She spat, aggravation painted on her face.

“Patty rolls naturally from the tongue. Wouldn’t you agree, Gav?” Natasha directed the question at me.

“Sure. Have you found anything useful on the laptop?” I inquired, my gaze shifting to Natasha.

“Nope. Just a bunch of folders…wait a minute is this a novel?” Natasha gasped.

“It’s none of your concern.” Pat spat, mortification splashing crimson on her pale face.

“Oh my, would you look at that? It’s an erotica novel. Let me read it out loud…”

“No. Don’t you fucking dare!” Pat protested, scowling at Natasha who didn’t seem to give a fuck.

“She pushed me up against the wall, her hands on my waist…lips sucking on the delicate flesh of my tattooed bony neck. Her thick lips wrapped around my hardened nipple, sucking and grazing lightly with her teeth. I moaned, arching my back and allowing the sensations to dominate my body. She slid her hand, settling it right where I needed it to be…between my thighs.” Natasha paused, fanning herself.

“Damn. This shit is really steamy. I’m getting all hot and bothered over here. Not gonna lie, you write beautifully Pat.” She showered praises at her.

“Thanks…I guess.” Pat was literally blushing. Could tell that she wasn’t used to receiving compliments.

“Ever thought of maybe, publishing it?” Natasha inquired, her gaze fixed on the tied up lass whose face was beet red from the excessive blushing.

“No…Umm…I mean I mostly write for myself and even if I wanna publish, I don’t have the money to do it.” She disclosed.

“Well, there’s a free reading and writing app called wattpad. Ever heard of it?”

“Not really.” Her brows furrowed in mystification.

“Look it up and download it then post your book there. Pretty sure you’ll get a million reads and fans.” She recommended.

“Thank you. Guess, I’ll check it out.” Her features softened. She looked less hostile.

“Now, tell me why you sent all those threatening texts to me. Why me of all people?” Natasha pried.

My feet were getting sore from all the standing, so I sat at the edge of the bed which creaked in response to my weight.

“It’s because, I was asked to do it. A couple of days ago, I got an email from some dude asking me to send the list to you.  He also asked me to threaten you if you refuse to co-operate. He promised to pay me a lot of money if I did the job right. I did what I had to survive. You don’t know how hard it is for people like us…out here. This place is like a freaking jungle, you are either the hunter or the prey.” Pat narrated, her voice fluctuating with emotions.

“So, this guy what’s his name?” I fired a question, curious to uncover the identity of the mystery man.“He goes with an alias. Calls himself Willy Wonka.” She rejoined.

“Like Johnny Depp from Charlie and the chocolate factory. Fucking loved that movie.” Natasha blurted.

“Me too. I’ve watched it like a million times. Can’t count anymore.” Pat seconded, a smile gracing her melanoid lips.

“Okay, I’m lost. What are we talking about?” I announced, blinking in confusion. They both looked at me like I had grown a second head.

“How have you never heard of Charlie and the chocolate factory?” Natasha shot the question at me. She was giving me the ‘seriously Gavin’ look.

“Yeah dude. It’s literally one of the best movies Johnny Depp ever did. Apart from Edward Scissorhands of course.” Pat added.

“And pirates of the Caribbean.” Natasha spilled with an ‘obviously’ eye roll.

“I know Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s the one with a drunk pirate, right?” I recollected with a slight scratch of my head.

I swear, I have watched the movie but I can barely recall the plot. The only thing I remember was that there was a skinny, drunk pirate who had dreadlocks and wore make-up.

“At least he remembers Jack sparrow.” Pat mumbled with a chuckle.

“Yeah. Thank God.” Natasha agreed with a sigh then murmured something that only Pat could hear. They seemed to be warming up to each other.

Don’t know if it was a good or bad thing.

“Okay, let’s proceed with the interrogation.” I spoke up, putting on my detective mode.

“Gav, I love your enthusiasm but could you do something about her bleeding leg?” Natasha more like demanded.

“My first aid kit is in the bathroom, on the shelf to your right. Thanks.” Pat issued the instruction.

“Cool.” I uttered, getting up from the bed and making my way to the bathroom which was attached to the bedroom.

It was small in comparison to the other rooms in the apartment. The walls were periwinkle in color.A white bath tub, tarnished with russet stains sat a few meters from the door.

A metallic showerhead, hanging directly above the bath tub was clogged with cobwebs and rust. It’s like it hadn’t been used in months. A toilet whose lid was opened and droning with flies, was situated a few inches from the bath tub.

Bile, rose to my throat at the revolting sight and pong.

“What’s taking you so long? Please don’t tell me you’re taking a shit in there, Gavin.” Natasha’s accusatory tone echoed in the apartment.

God. How much longer do I have to be on this mission with her?

“I should warn you, there’s no water in there. Hasn’t been in months.” Pat warned with a laugh. Glad she was finding my situation amusing.

“No need to warn me because I’m not taking a shit. Wouldn’t even dream of it!” I yelled back, rummaging through the shelf which was stuffed with bottles of pills, make-up, lotions and other girly things that I’d rather not mention. I grabbed the first aid kit and stepped out of the lavatory.

“Back at last. Thought you were going to live in there forever.” Natasha made a remark.

“I’m surprised you have a brain at all.” I fired back, crouching in front of Pat and tending to her wounded leg. I applied some alcohol on the gash to disinfect it. Then cut some gauze and wrapped it around the wound.

“You guys are cute. Bantering like a couple in love.” Pat stated in admiration.

“Eww…no. We are not a couple and definitely not in love.” I protested, feeling like throwing up at the thought of Natasha and me being a couple.

I shook my head to erase the uncomfortable mental image.“Yeah, Gavin plays for the other team. He’s more into sausages these days. And no, we are not a couple in love. We are a couple in hate.” Natasha commented.

“Oh. I thought you guys were dating or something. I mean there’s so much Chemistry between you guys and sexual tension is so thick. I can literally taste it.” Pat’s statement caused mine and Natasha’s eyes to meet.

There was a brief staring contest before she broke the eye contact then awkwardly cleared her voice.

“Pat, I suggest that you have your eyes checked by an optician because nothing is going on between Gavin and me. We are what they call, foes. Right now we are working together but that doesn’t mean anything special is going on. Gavin isn’t even my type like…at all.” Natasha blabbered, sitting in an upright posture.

Like she was trying to salvage what was left of her composure.

“What’s your type? I’m guessing the devil since you are Lilith’s reincarnate.” I blurted without a thought, my lips slanting into a smirk.

“Glad you asked. My type is definitely not athletic. I like them nerdy and hot. Dominant too. A kitten in the streets but a tiger in the sheets if you know what I mean. ” Natasha retorted with a slight smirk.

“What an adorable taste you have in guys.” I replied with a sarcastic smile knowing too well who she was referring to.

“I am the queen of good tastes after all.” She bragged.

“Okay, I’m digging this banter so much. Definitely shipping you guys.” Pat spoke, prompting us to glare at her. Pretty sure my left eye was twitching from the angry look I was giving her.

“There is no ship to ship here. In fact that ship you are shipping just capsized because I personally drowned it. Okay Patty? Now let’s proceed with the interrogation. This Willy Wonka guy, did he give you anything else that could help us in tracking him?” Natasha interrogated.

“Just an address. It’s in one of the emails he sent me. It as an address where he was supposed to meet with me after the job is done so that he can pay me the money he promised.” Pat explained.

“Is the email still here or did you delete it?” She inquired, her gaze shifting back to the laptop screen.

I scurried back to the bathroom and placed the first aid kit box on the shelf. My hands were stained with blood and reeked of alcohol. I turned on the faucet but like Pat had warned, there was no water in the bathroom.

“Where can I rinse my hands?” I inquired as soon as I had stepped out of the lavatory.

“The kitchen. There’s water there. And while you’re at it, could you get me a glass of water? I’m parched.” Pat made a request.

****

I returned to the room with a glass of water moments later.“I can’t drink with my hands tied. Untie me.”

“What if you run off? I can’t risk that.” I protested, my left eye brow arching.

“How can I run with a wounded leg? Oh and also both of my legs are tied to the chair in case you forgot.” She tried to convince me. She had a point.

I untied her arms and handed her the glass of water which she gulped almost immediately.

“See, I’m still here.” She stated.

“Have you found the address?” I turned my attention to Natasha whose focus was on the laptop screen.

“Not yet. There’s so many emails here.” She lamented, a frown settling on her brow.

“Here, let me help.” I offered.

“Okay.” She was passing me the laptop when our hands brushed. Our eyes instantly locked and a small gasp departed her lips at the skin to skin contact.

It was then that I noticed how deep brown her irises were. It was like two chocolate muffins dipped in pools of milk. As though having a mind of their own, my eyes surveyed the rest of her countenance.

Taking in every micro detail; from her slim nose to her round cheeks, flawless porcelain skin and eventually settling on her slightly parted heart shaped baby pink lips which were shimmering with lip gloss. She looked exquisite.

“Errr…guys, do you maybe need the room to sort out whatever is going on right now?” Pat cleared her voice, drawing us back to reality.

I swiftly tore my gaze from Natasha’s face and took a few calming breaths. Okay, what the fuck just happened? Have I lost my fucking mind? Why on earth did I check Natasha out?

“No. We don’t need a room.” Natasha muttered, nerviness dominating her composure.

“Then what was that staring contest all about? Are you sure that you guys aren’t dating?” Pat questioned, her gaze scrutinizing Natasha and me.

“For the last time, we are not dating. I have a boyfriend and I am not even her type.” I spoke louder than I had intended then glued my eyes to the laptop screen.

I scrolled through the emails, my mind fogged with Pat’s words.

“Please! I’d rather go to a convent and sign up to be mother superior than date Gavin Mileford.” Natasha declared.

“Okay then. I get it, you guys can’t stand each other and yet somehow you want to rip each other’s clothes off. To be honest, it started the exact same way with Mona and me. We couldn’t exist in the same room without wanting to kill each other. At the same time, we were insanely attracted to each other. She was everything I hated and liked. I would do anything for that girl.” Pat opened up.

Her story reminded me of my own love story with Carlito.

“The whole reason I even agreed to work for this Willy Wonka persona is because I want a better life for Mona. She deserves to live like a queen and not some sex toy that men can use as they please.” She spat, anger brimming in her voice at the last sentence.

“I overheard you say something about a guy named Dario. Is that who she works for?” Natasha interrogated.

“Yes. She works at his club as a stripper and sometimes, he forces her to sleep with high paying clients. He owns her and treats her like shit.” She spat bitterly.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I mumbled, feeling bad for her girlfriend’s situation.

“Yeah, me too.” Natasha stated.

“Thanks. Look, I understand if you wanna call the cops on me for black mailing you. I deserve it. But I did that to make enough cash to get out of here with Mona. And start afresh somewhere else.” Pat stated in a defeated tone.

After hearing her side of the story, I can’t blame her for what she did. She was doing what was necessary to create a better life for her and the girl she loves.

Had I been in her position, I would have done the same thing or worse. She did everything, out of helplessness and love.

“How much did he promise to pay you?” I addressed her.

“20k.” She spilled.

“I’ll triple the amount if you help us catch him. Set up a meeting with him. Tell him it’s urgent.” I proposed.

“For real? You’ll pay me all that money just like that?” She stared at me in disbelief.

“Consider it an act of good faith. The next time you pull shit like this off, I won’t be so charitable.” I revealed.

“Thank you. I promise that I won’t fail you. I’ll help you catch him and put him behind bars. When should I set the meeting?”

“How about Monday afternoon? I’ll text you further on the details.”

“Alright.” Pat nodded.

“And one more thing, I want to give us every copy of the dirt you had on the people on that list.” I ordered.

“It’s in the laptop. On a folder named Shit. But I am not sure if that’s everything. Because the guy who hired me has other copies.” She revealed and I clicked on the folder.

She was right, all the dirty laundry was in there. I copied and pasted the folder to my phone and deleted it from the laptop.

Then, I saved the address from the email on my phone. I shot a quick text to Fabian asking him to look up the address for me.

“Then I guess we’ll have to find this guy and make him give us everything. He is going to have to answer as to why he hired you to black mail me.” Natasha spoke, getting up from the bed.

“Just be careful. This guy is dangerous. If he was capable of digging all that dirt on powerful people then he is capable of doing much worse.” Pat raised a concern.

“Thanks for the heads up. And thank you for your cooperation. Sorry for cutting off your toes.” Natasha stated, while untying Pat’s legs.

“I am the one who should be apologizing for making your life a living hell with all those texts. Just so you know, I didn’t intend on actually killing you. It was a bluff.” Pat assured with a smile.

“Glad to know.” Natasha remarked. “About your girlfriend, tell her I said sorry for the stunt I pulled earlier.” She added with a remorseful smile.

“That’s if she doesn’t kill me first.” Pat winced, getting up from her chair. She walked us out of the apartment and bade us good bye.

***

A/N

This chapter was originally really long. It was 4k words and above. I had to divide it to two chapters(52 and 53).

Anyway loves, what are your thoughts on the chapter?