“Those three things you mentioned.”

Jared’s body went rigid.

“You promised you’d do three things for me,” Gwendolyn said. Her voice stayed level—so level it turned cold. “A man’s word, once spoken, can’t be taken back. That’s what you said.”

Jared turned to face her.

Gwendolyn didn’t look away. She met his gaze head-on.

“The first thing—I’ve already done. I took your blood for research. The second thing…”

She paused. Her voice trembled slightly, but she forced the words out anyway.