Oliver huffed impatiently. “Our friend requires some assistance. We won’t be long.” Nicolas nodded and unclipped the velvet rope, which almost made Oliver laugh because The Octane Club had no business thinking it was that fancy.
“What do they look like? I’ll put a call out on the radio.”
Oliver shook his head. “It’s okay. He’s holed up in the omega bathroom. We’re just getting him and getting out.”
Nicholas nodded. “Up the stairs, across the balcony, past the disco ball and—well, you don’t need me to tell you. Shout if you need help, but judging by the size of your side piece, you should be fine.”
Letting out a mischievous snicker, Oliver glanced up at Lucas.Side piece…he was more of a front, back, underneath, and on top piece.
“Thank you,” Lucas said, patting Nicholas’ shoulder as they walked into the club.
“Oh, Ollie?” The alpha called after them. “Your brother single yet?”
Oliver frowned over his shoulder. “He’s been happily married for eight years. Time to give it up,” he called back, the words barely audible over the boom of the music. Shrugging, Nicolas adjusted his earpiece and turned back towards the street.
Alphas and omegas grinding against one another on the dance floor did not make for a safe environment at the best of times. Add alcohol, hormones, and inexperienced university students to the raging cocktail of debauchery, and a police officer could easily find themselves over-run with sexual assault cases. He’d rescued more naïve omegas from over-eager alphas, than he could keep track of, Pember was now another one.
Patrick though… the Octane Club seemed low, even for him.
Bodies moved around them, the stench of sweat and sex so cloying that it made Oliver’s eyes water. Lucas tensed at his side like a coiled spring, and Oliver wasn’t sure if that made him more or less anxious. Hedid notwant to be letting Lucas out of a custody cell in the morning, so taking a deep breath he tried to send reassurance across their bond.‘I’m here… Safe… Together… Mate.’It must have worked, because Lucas squeezed his hand and visibly relaxed.
Glancing over the balcony, his gaze drifted to the dance floor below with its flashing purple and white tiles. The sheer number of people packed into one space was overwhelming, and Oliver thanked God that the omega bathroom was on the second floor.
“There,” Lucas growled, angling his chin towards a tall figure leaning against the wall at the far end of the walkway.
Wrinkling his nose, Oliver grabbed both of Lucas’ hands and pulled him down to eye level. “Keep your head,” he said, leaning forward to nip the alpha’s bottom lip. “Or I’ll thrash you from here to next Tuesday.”
Lucas smirked, planting his mouth just under Oliver’s left ear. “You’re lucky the rutt is wearing off, Reed.”
Oliver sucked in a breath. “Rescuing friends first. Post-rutt fuckery later,” he said, giving the alpha a stern look. “Keep an eye on dipshit over there. I’ll get Pember.”
“Yes boss,” Lucas replied, levelling his eyes at the still-unaware Patrick. With that, Oliver turned on his heel and strode towards the door.
Patrick was sweating, his cheeks unnaturally flushed whilst the rest of him remained a pale, sallow colour. Biting his nails, he spat out the shards with unnecessary agitation, as his jaw set into a tense, corded line. He was high as a kite. Cocaine probably, given the way his tongue licked his teeth over and over again.
As soon as Oliver got within reaching distance, the alpha’s head jerked up. Oliver carried on walking, not meeting his gaze or stopping to look back at Lucas.
“Well, if it isn’t?—”
“Fuck off,” Oliver barked, pushing through the door and into the safety of the protected bathroom. The security guard immediately tensed, squaring his shoulders as his head swivelled to Oliver. Then he relaxed.
“Oh, PC Reed, it’s you,” he said, settling himself back against the wall.
Oliver did a shoulder check before sighing and turning back to the security guard. “Evening Will. Busy night?”
“Like you wouldn’t fucking believe,” he said, scrubbing a hand over his cropped beard. “Wow, when’s the last time you were out and about? Gotta be… four, maybe five years?”
“Probably,” Oliver replied, reaching to push open the bathroom door.
“Wait,” Will said, mousey brown hair falling across his forehead. “You can’t go in there. It’s omega’s only.”
Oliver nodded and stepped back. “I know. I’m here to help a friend.”
Recognition dawned on the beta’s face. “Ah, is it that pretty lad with the dark brown hair?” There were, of course, plenty of pretty omega’s with dark brown hair, but Oliver didn’t have the time or the patience to argue specifics.
“That’s the one.”
Nicholas sucked his teeth and straightened his black tie. “Yeah… he didn’t look so good. I tried to help him, but he said someone was coming to get him. Is that ginger prick still hanging around outside?”
