**Updated Friday** Winners have been drawn… will be posted shortly. Thanks for all the feedback! 
I stole your cat.
I can’t apologize because Oliver is such an appealing cat and Tucker needed a sidekick. (FYI: He has been renamed for the sake of the story. It was all for a very good cause, too, but I can’t share the name yet.)
I didn’t plan on stealing your cat. It’s just…well…the bad guy had a cat. See?
A soft, warm little head butted his ankle and he smiled, knelt down, and scooped up Demeter. The cat snuggled into his arms as he scratched it under the chin. It was odd, how attached he’d gotten to the little thing. He’d originally gotten her for his last fiancée. He’d thought perhaps having a kitten to mother would make her stop her constant blathering about a family. It hadn’t. It had just made her that much more moon-eyed and tiresome.
But…well, he’s a bad guy and bad things happen to bad guys. It’s not the cat’s fault that he had a bad owner. And the cat had the excellent taste to go cuddling up to Tucker.
The cat grew on me…Oliver was just so regal. I had to have him. So I took him. And Tucker, like I said, needed a sidekick. He really needed a sidekick…a friend. He’s a lonely sort, but I can’t really explain just how lonely unless I write his book.
But Tucker and his cat get their start here…in The Reunited. And he’ll take really, really good care of the cat. I promise.
“If you come over here,” Dru said to the woman, although she kept her eyes focused on Joss. “We’ll keep you safe. I’ve got a car. My friend will get you to it. Nobody will hurt you. And if that son of a bitch tries to stop you, I’ll shoot his balls off.”
The woman just smiled.
And that was when Dru realized she wasn’t cuffed.
No cuffs . . .
And where were the guards? They’d lost sight of them as they came through the woods, trying to keep as quiet as possible, but there had been two guards.
“Tucker.” She shifted.
He might not be able to read minds, and maybe she couldn’t read thoughts, but he understood her well enough, turning so that he had his back at an angle to hers.
“If you’re looking for the guards, you can find them in there,” the woman said quietly.
She jabbed a finger to the trunk.
Dru glanced over. Then did a double take as her mind started to process. Two men. Bound. Two guards, men she knew.
They’d taken turns trailing after her more than once. And they stared at the blond woman like they couldn’t stop. It was eerie, the way they watched her. Like they adored her. Needed her. Worshipped her.
Setting her jaw, she swung her gaze back to Joss just as he moved forward.
“Stay back,” Dru warned.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” the woman snapped. She turned to the truck. “This Mexican standoff is all very entertaining, but there isn’t much time. The others will be rushing up here in no time, and I’m sure none of us want Whitmore’s men moving into his cleanup protocol or whatever he calls it.”
Cleanup protocol—something tugged in her mind. A tug . . . then a push. She fortified her shields, even as she eyed Joss.
He’d told her to stay out of his mind, damn it. She didn’t want in his mind, didn’t want him in hers, even though she was starting to suspect there was something more complicated going on.
Still staring at Joss, Dru nudged Tucker with her shoulder. They needed to move. Needed to do . . . something. What should they do? Had to get in there. What was going on, though?
“Here, English. Catch.”
“Cole,” Joss said, his voice hard with warning.
Dru tore her eyes from Joss’s face as something came flying through the night. She snatched it out of the air.
“Stuff it up your ass, Crawford,” the woman said.
Dru tuned them out, eying at the leather ID holder she held. Tucker shifted positions with her, automatically guarding her as she stood there, stunned, slammed by the images crashing into her. Just touching an object usually couldn’t do this to her.
Hadn’t been prepared—
The woman, disguised. Holding a gun on a man.
Another disguise, shoving somebody into a waiting car . . . sirens flashing.
The bottom of her stomach dropped out.
The pressure on her mind increased as she stared at the credentials in front of her. The woman looked different, hair was shorter, darker, but there was no mistaking her eyes, those cheekbones. Or the FBI written in clear, dark letters.
FBI.
Tucker darted a glance at what she held. Started to swear. “Chapman, you get me in the worst messes. The fucking FBI?”
Once he gets done being mad at Dru, that is. BTW, just so you don’t feel left out, you’re not the only one I took advantage of…I also stole Nalini’s name.
Sincerely,
Shiloh
**I didn’t really take their cat. Oliver’s greatness inspired an Oliver-like cat. You’re welcome to read about the cat, Tucker and everybody else in The Reunited. Be warned…it’s romance. But I don’t do picket fences or easy happy ever afters. My characters are usually battered and begging for mercy at the end.
Giveaway: I’m giving away two copies of The Reunited (ebook or print- your choice. If I’m not able to send the ebook due to territory restrictions, I’ll mail a print book internationally). To enter, just leave a comment! I’ll draw and post the winners later these week.
I so want to read this now! Thanks for the opportunity!
Adventures with a cat ,purrfect! Thank you.
Sounds interesting! Thanks!
At least you didn’t REALLY steal the cat lol
Congrats on the release! I can totally see why Oliver inspired the cat character.
Thank you so much for the giveaway! And for the fun post
The snippet sounded so good, I want the book. Pleeeeeeeeeese???
I love the snippet on your website, too! Thanks for the share
This seems pretty freekin’ awesome
I may just have to keep an eye out just to keep things straight.
That sounds really interesting. The longer snippet on The Reunited’s page is also really cool. It would be great to read the book
Arushi recently posted..The Feel of Frost
Looks really cool. I will put it on my TBR list.
Aha! Another incident of catnapping!
I hope the cat gets some good lines… like Beast in Clean Sweep.
LOL…
here’s one line…
“Salmon.”
The cat lay down. Yes, you peasant. You may feed me now.
“You’re a pain in the ass.” Tucker stared at XXXXX. “One would think you’d be a little more appreciative of the home and all.”
(no, the cat’s not really talking… judge the cat-ttitude and all)
Shiloh Walker recently posted..The Reunited… now out
BTW, that’s the next book… The Protected. Story builds and all.
Shiloh Walker recently posted..The Reunited… now out
Congrats on the release. Looking forward to reading the whole story!!
What a fun snippet! I think I may need to get a copy of it now – seems right up my alley.
I love cats and I love romance – it’s a win-win! thanks Shiloh
Sounds interesting. I love cats but I’m highly allergic. At least I can read about them without nasty reactions…
FUN!!…thanks
Ah, what are good friends for, if not for stealing (virtually) such a delightful kitty? By the way, thanks for such a nice snippet; it makes me want to read the book! Most likely, I’ll be obtaining it one way or another
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win this story,
Caroljay
I get the impression Shiloh tends to get in trouble a lot so…virtual catnapping…no problem
Certainly looking forward to this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am the picture of a well-mannered writer. really.
Shiloh Walker recently posted..At The Bookpushers…
Did I hear someone snort? ::::listening:::: Well, it sure sounded like one to me…
I’m totally well-behaved. Really. Or…well. I can be.
Shiloh Walker recently posted..Last week to get NIGHT BLADE from Netgalley
this sounds awesome, I’d love a chance to read, thank you!
Oliver is a pretty spiffy cat, I completely understand! I would like a chance to read the new book thanks for the contest!
What a fun snippet- thanks for sharing!! This is on my TBR list
Sounds like an interesting story! I would love to read it.
This really made my day. Thanks for that and for the giveaway. Good luck with the book release!
This sounds really interesting, need to add it to my wish list.
Sounds great! Definitely a book I’ll have to check out!
Sounds like a fun read! Thanks for the chance!
Wow, can’t wait to read!
Love teh kittehs. Very intriguing snippet!!
Ooh, pick me! Sounds like a fun book.
Malin recently posted..#CBR5 Book 12. That Scandalous Summer by Meredith Duran
This sounds awesome! I can’t wait to read it
Very interesting. Cats can make some great characters.
Fluffy snuggly cats are the best kind.
I realized almost immediately that the theft was only in the literary sense, but for a mo I was thinking that the Gordon family has had some bad luck with cats recently.
Thanks for the great giveaway.
Thanks! Sounds like a good read
Sounds awesome
sounds great – I don’t blame you for stealing Oliver (or an Oliver-like) he is such a gorgeous cat!
I love the cross-site posts! What better way to get exposure to new authors than through authors you already love?
Thanks so much! I love how my fav authors are friends and how you pulled inspiration from them.
Love the “Stole your cat” way the post started! It would be fun to do a post like “I stole your flooded kitchen floor & replaced it with a roller skating rink” or something, lol.
I’d love a copy
Pick me. Pick me. This story sounds very intrigueing. How do I get a copy if I don’t get picked?
Sounds like another good book to put on my reading list.
Oooh. This sounds like so much fun! If the giveaway’s still open, I’ll cross my fingers. In any case I’m definitely going to get a copy when it comes out!
That sounds great!