Chapter 74

Declan's POV

My entire being cooled to the damp press of Kendall's cheek against mine. A choked sob shook through her, a tremor that sent pulses of pain through me stronger than any punch I'd ever taken. My arms, which had been wrapped around her in the heat of the kiss, tightened.

I pulled back, forcing a lightness to my voice that felt hollow. "Hey, hey," I murmured, brushing a damp strand of hair from her forehead with the pad of my thumb. They glinted off the tears clinging to her lashes, making her eyes look enormous and vulnerable.

"It's nothing," she mumbled, blinking rapidly, but the hitch in her voice betrayed the lie.

"Come on," I coaxed, guiding her towards me. I needed to be clear-headed and understand what was eating at her.

Kendall huddled beside me, knees pulled up to her chest. I hated prying, hated seeing the shade of resentment that sometimes crossed her features when I pushed too hard. But this wasn't about prying, it was about being a damn pillar for the gir