Page 24 of Bred By the Sheikh

“Why do you want it?”

“So someone can take it for veterinary care.”

She looked down immediately.

“Of course it does.”

The humor left her face.

“You’ll help it?”

“Yes. I’ll make sure it’s cared for.”

“I mean really help it.”

I met her eyes.

“I will, Chrissy.”

Her shoulders relaxed.

She kissed the top of the cat’s dusty head before carefully handing it to a staff member Elias had summoned.

“Tell the veterinarian it hasn’t been named yet.”

The employee glanced toward me.

I nodded.

Chrissy pointed after the departing cat.

“And nobody names it without me.”

“Yes, Ms. Campbell.”

She looked satisfied.

I waited until she’d rejoined the working group before speaking quietly to Elias.

“Arrange a full veterinary assessment. Whatever treatment it needs. Food, vaccinations, safe housing.”

“Of course.”

“And keep Ms. Campbell informed.”

His gaze flickered briefly toward her.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I had no intention of spending the afternoon personally feeding a stray cat.

I did, however, want to see Chrissy’s face when she learned it was safe.

We ate a working lunch with the team before returning to the afternoon review.

By four, her notes had helped reshape another section of the campaign around arrival, accessibility, and small moments of anticipated need.

I wanted to know how she would sound if the next helpless little moan came from something other than breakfast.