Page 190 of Chasing Infinity

It’s over.

Chapter 49

Noah

My eyes are heavy as I watch Addison sleep peacefully in the ER bed. I rub my finger against my jawline, wincing as I run over a tender muscle from clenching so much. The last twenty-four hours have been an insane whirlwind of emotions, and now, I feel the adrenaline pumping through my body start to crash.

After everything with my father went down at the Witch House last night, the police and my team from the FBI were called in. It was pure madness for a few hours. Addison managed to get through it like a champ. Though the minutes ticked by, I could see the events of the night wearing on her. As soon as EMS made it out there, I got her on a gurney, ignoring their pleas for me to seek prompt medical attention. Thankfully there was only the other woman in the basement with her, who also was rushed out to get medical services. A social worker would be dispatched to reunite her with her family at some point too.

Once we got to the hospital, I caved in and let them check me over. They rushed me to the radiology department, taking pictures of my rib cage to ensure nothing was cracked. Thankfully, they didn’t notice any fractures. I didn’t really need a doctor to tell me that my ribs were bruised. I could have figured that much out on my own. Because of the sharp pain, whenever I moved just right, I didn’t turn down the painkillers they prescribed me, downing one with a big bottle of water after they ran a few more tests on me and stitched up the laceration on my forehead.

My doctors determined I had a mild concussion. However, they didn’t spot any neurological deficits, so I was clear to go home on the condition of cognitive rest. When they were finished, I hurried back to Addison’s side and claimed a chair.

And I haven’t left since.

Sitting here watching Addison rest, I repeatedly run over the night’s events. I never thought I’d be at a point where I could say this, but I am immensely grateful for Eli Montgomery. If he hadn’t come when he did, I would likely be the one with a bullet through my brain rather than my father. Instead, I’m left with a set of stitches across my forehead and more bumps and bruises than I know what to do with.

I exhale and drop my hand down onto the arm of the chair. It’s a little bittersweet knowing that my father is dead. I’m glad because it means that he can’t wreak any more havoc in our town, but it’s disappointing knowing that there was no chance for him to be thoroughly punished for his crimes. I would have liked to see him rot in prison for the rest of his life, living out the consequences of his actions.

Thankfully though, one of his other henchmen, who had arrived shortly after everything escalated, was taken into custody by the FBI and is currently being interrogated. A quick text from one of my buddies confirmed that he was spilling all his guts without much prompting.

Because of that, we’ll be able to lock down the rest of my father’s operation and end his reign of terror across the Northeast.

The words I whispered to Addison last night have never been more true. It’s over, for good.

Declan McCoy is never coming back. I’m free.

The hollow sensation in my gut that I’ve learned to live with for so long finally feels like it’s easing. I know it will take some time to get used to this new reality, but maybe now, I can move on with my life.

I haven’t fully come to terms with what this means for me yet, but hopefully, I’ll be able to sleep better at night knowing that all the years I’ve spent pouring over this case paid off in the long run. Something deep inside me yearns to go in a different direction, maybe away from cases of this magnitude. I excelled at what I did because I had to, but now that it’s over? Perhaps there’s a better way I can use my skills.

Addison finally starts to stir in the bed, pulling me from the depths of my thoughts. I lean closer to the bed, taking her hand in mine and squeezing firmly, letting her know I’m here. She sighs, groaning from the pain, and then turns her head on the pillow. Her eyes open, and she blinks a few times, my face coming into her focus.

“Noah?” she croaks, and I squeeze her hand again.

“I’m here,” I tell her. “You’re safe.” Addison moves to sit up, but I gently hold her back. “Take it easy, Parks. Everything’s okay. We’re at the hospital in Willow Heights. Your doctor will be back in shortly.”

Her hazel eyes take in everything around her, and I start seeing the lucency return as everything settles back into her mind. She turns to me, alarmed. “How long have I been here?”

“A few hours,” I tell her. “I rode with you in the ambulance from the Witch House, and you passed out as soon as we were on the road. You’re okay, the doctors just think your mind was overwhelmed from everything, and you were severely dehydrated, so they’ve got you hooked up to some fluids.”

“What about the other woman?” she asks, panic lacing her tone as she tries to sit up again. I apply gentle pressure to her shoulders again, preventing her from straining. “I didn’t ever get her name.”

I give her a soft smile, running my hand over her hair. “She’s safe too. She’s going to be meeting with a social worker, who is going to do her best to get her home.”

Addison’s body slumps against the pillows at this information. She blinks at the ceiling, and I notice tears welling against her lids. She rolls her lips together into a tight line, her chin quivering slightly. I scoot my chair closer to her and rest my forehead against her temple.

“Hey, baby, it’s okay,” I whisper. “Don’t cry.”

She sniffles and turns her head away from me as if she’s embarrassed. Gently, I hold her chin and bring her face back toward me so I can see her. “Everything’s okay, Parks,” I tell her. “It’s all over.”

One lone tear courses down her cheek, and the sight of it guts me. I swipe it away with my finger before it reaches her jawbone. Addison closes her eyes, pressing her face into the side of my hand. “I was so scared,” she admits in a broken whisper. “I thought he had shot you.”

“I know,” I say, smoothing my other hand against her hair again. “But I’m okay. I’m here.”

Slowly, I lean forward, closing the space between us as I press my lips to hers. Addison moans slightly, her body melting under my touch. I hold her tightly, aware that this is a moment that we almost might have never gotten to experience together again. Breathing her in, I let her surround me, and we get lost in each other.

As I lean away, Addison’s hand moves to the back of my neck, halting me. “Wait,” she whispers. “Don’t pull away just yet.”

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