Yours Always, Nyssa: Yours Always, #4

By Ryenne Renner

"Okay. Look." He blew a breath out of his nose.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I know we don't get on very well and god knows why Grimm picked me and not one of the other guys to pair up with you, but if we're going to be happy newlyweds, you might want to stop glaring at me."

Oh, I knew why Grimm had picked him. Because the man was down right lickable. Thirty five years old, six foot two, with dark skin and amazing light blue eyes, he was going to have all those suburban housewives eating out of his palm. Asshole.

I was going to have to spend a month pretending to be married to him while watching other women drool over him.

Awesome.

 

Liam

I should have said no to the assignment. I mean, who willingly takes a job where they're fake married to a woman who hates them. The thought of being alone with Nyssa without the rest of the team, though… maybe it's what we need to call a truce. The truth of the matter is, I've always had a thing for her, but it was always easy to stay away since she couldn't stand to be around me. Now? Now, I'm screwed because now, I'm touching her and now I'm kissing her and I can't figure out if any of it is real or if it's just part of our job.

 

Nyssa

There's only one word to describe Liam. Asshole. I mean, the man picked me up and threw me in a rain barrel for crying out loud. Who does that? Assholes. When I get paired with him to go undercover as happy newlyweds, I decide I'm just going to keep my head down and do the job. Except that without the rest of the team around to act as buffer, I start to see a glimpse of who he actually is. Those kisses, those touches, those looks… I have to keep reminding myself it's all acting. Right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ryenne Renner
• Release date: May 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223974451

Ryenne Renner

Ryenne Renner is a Canadian author who resides in the beautiful province of Saskatchewan. Wife, mother, author, woods sprite, food lover; she has many hats she loves to fill. A trucker’s wife and mom of three, she is grateful to be able to write full time and stay home with her son with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. When not writing, her days are spent hiking, fishing, camping, reading, and watching movies with her family.  Ryenne is a romance author who is a firm believer that love is love.  Follow her at the following links! Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ryennesromancelovers/  Twitter: www.twitter.com/ryennerenner Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ryennerenner  Newsletter: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jfqivnv90e (free book) Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ryenne-renner  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryennerenner    Books by Ryenne Renner Contemporary Romance   Yours Always (Mason, Lukas, Logan, Nyssa, Ray, Jack, Kit, Dean, Morgan) Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy   Palbert City Underground (Fire’s Kiss, Tiger’s Choice, Reaper’s Promise) Books written as Mireille Chester Adult: Fantasy Romance   The Chosen One Trilogy (Crossover, Journey, Destiny)   Sageden Pack (Displaced, Shattered, Strayed)   Holidays in Quelondain (Eggnog Kisses, Candy Hearts)   Ghosts (a Quelondain Short) Apocalypse Romance   Angered Seasons Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy   Crimson Moon Hideaway (Winning Paradise, Feathers Afire, Ocean’s Blood, Sweet as Huney)  *these characters also make appearances in the Palbert City Underground series)    YA :   Tyler’s Story   Chael’s Luck

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Nyssa

I was stepping out of base just as his SUV pulled up.

Fuck. I hadn’t been quick enough.

Joker stepped out of the vehicle and my heart kicked because it always did the first time I hadn’t seen him in a while.

I set my jaw and made my way over to him.

Afternoon. He nodded.

Yep. I looked past him and frowned. Where’s Jasper? He never went anywhere without his dog.

The groomer’s.

I raised an eyebrow.

What? He deserves a good grooming every once in a while. The dog went through hell.

That’s not... I just... We barely knew when we were leaving. How did you get him booked in?

He shrugged. Pointer told me about the girl who does his. She’s a friend of someone’s cousin, I think. Anyway. She had an opening.

Those light blue eyes met mine. Mason said you were going around to say goodbye to everyone. I thought I might tag along to say ‘hey’. It’s been a while since I’ve seen them.

Absolutely not.

Fine, but we’re taking mine. I pulled the keys to my SUV out of my pocket and got into it.

Be nice, Pen. Be nice. This assignment could take up to a month to finish.

He got in and we made our way to Mason’s apartment.

Sneak grinned at the sight of us, his green eyes laughing. If the two of you are going to pass as newlyweds, you might want to work on that body language.

Reason number one I hadn’t wanted Liam coming with me to say goodbye. Everyone on my team had been more than a little shocked to know I’d been paired with Joker. We didn’t get along.

We’re not newlyweds until we drive up to that house. Don’t worry, we can do our jobs. I glared at him.

Leave them alone, Mason.

I turned to Ronnie and smiled.

She grinned. Ignore him.

I usually do.

Mason turned serious. You have all your gear ready to go?

I nodded. We’ll leave first thing in the morning and let you know when we have everything set up.

I got a nod in return.

He blinked. Shit. Joker. This is Ronnie. Ronnie, Joker.

She smiled. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard good things.

I ignored his glance at me.

You obviously haven’t been talking to Pen, then.

She burst out laughing. No. Just Mason.

He grinned.

I gave Ronnie a hug, ignoring his jab at me. Hopefully this is over sooner than later, but I’ll be back.

She nodded.

Liam gave a wave and followed along behind me as we left.

Next stop was at Ray’s Autoshop.

I slapped the hood of the car he was under and he rolled out.

Jesus, Pen.

I grinned. I’m leaving. Just saying goodbye.

His blue eyes widened. Oh. Ok. Sure.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Rat, relax. You’ll get used to it. When one of us leaves on an op, we do the rounds. I expect a goodbye from you the first time you leave town.

He nodded and stopped his greased up hand before he ran it though his dirty blond hair.

I decided to be polite. This is Joker. He’s with Grimm’s team. Joker, this is Rat. He’s been our, well, rat, for the past two years. He’s been made a full team member.

The men nodded.

I glanced around the shop. Did you hire anyone yet?

He shook his head. I’ve got someone coming in tomorrow. A friend of Ronnie’s?

I nodded. Britt. I like her. She doesn’t take anyone’s shit.

That’s what I’m hoping to find. If I can’t leave this place with someone capable when I have to leave, I don’t know what I’ll do.

You could always sell it.

He scoffed. Absolutely not. I've been a mechanic longer than you’ve been alive, Nyssa. I was tearing engines out of vehicles when I was twelve. I mean, granted, that’s how I ended up in jail... He grinned and I laughed. I love working for you guys, but on my down time, I need to be under a car.

Hey. You don’t work for us anymore. You work with us.

He smiled. Does that mean you won’t hold a gun to my head next time you’re pissed?

I grinned. No promises.

So, what’s your assignment?

We’re going to get evidence and bring down the suspected money launderer for terrorist activities.

Just the two of you?

I could do it alone, Rat.

He laughed. I have no doubts. He turned serious. Be careful.

I nodded. Always, Ray. Always.

We waved goodbye and I sent Bear a text.

Looks like we’re off to the park.

Liam raised an eyebrow.

Lukas and his girlfriend are at the park with their daughter and they have Logan’s two kids with them.

I’m sorry. What?

When we moved here, Lukas met Viv. She’s a friend of Ronnie’s. Those two... it was love at first sight. It turns out, she had a stalker. When he saw Bear with her, he lost it. He threatened them. It was bad. We thought we’d caught him, but the local PD fucked up and released him. He tried to kidnap Frannie, Viv’s daughter. Lukas was shot three times, but managed to get to them and saved her. They’re amazing, Viv and Fran. They absolutely adore him. Viv gives him shit when he does that thing when he tries to be small. Hell, Frannie even notices and glares at him and says ‘bears aren’t small’. I smiled, happy for my friend.

And Logan?

His girlfriend, Ginny, is a constable with the police service here. That’s how they met. It’s not a big town, not a big police force. She showed up a couple of times when we were dealing with Mason’s thing and trying to save Ronnie. Then, she was the one in charge when Viv was being threatened. Ginny’s kids, Eric and Lizzy are friends with Franny, so they hang out a lot. Pointer hangs out with Bear... they hit it off. They’re good together.

I knew he probably had a million and one questions, but he was smart enough to keep them to himself. We pulled up to the park. It wasn’t hard to tell where they were. At six foot six, Lukas was pretty easy to spot wherever he was.

Franny’s eyes got big and she raced toward us.

Auntie Nyssa!

I caught her as she jumped in the air. Hey, Sweety.

I had to kneel to also catch Eric. Lizzy was much gentler and just gave me a hug.

Who’s this, Auntie? inquired the eight year old girl. She looked exactly like Ginny.

This is Joker. I’m going to go work with him for a month.

Lizzy’s smile left. Is it going to be dangerous?

I shook my head. Not even a little bit, honey. I have to sit in a house and look at cameras. That’s it.

Eric looked up at Liam. You’ll keep Auntie Nyssa safe?

I glanced back at Joker.

He nodded. Absolutely, though you know, your Auntie Nyssa is pretty great when it comes to what she does.

I had to admit I was sort of impressed. I knew Liam had zero experience with kids, but he was doing a good job of treating my adopted nieces and nephew like the amazing tiny humans that they were. Also, I was going to ignore the compliment he’d just given me.

Bear and Viv smiled as we walked up to them.

I could tell Bear was trying not to laugh.

There’s a sight you don’t see every day. He signed, grinning and I knew he meant me and Liam together.

Fuck off.

He gave a silent chuckle. I’d always been in awe of how he’d adapted to losing his voice in an explosion. He’d learned sign language and we’d all done the same so he didn’t have to write everything down. Even Grimm’s team had jumped on board because we worked with them so much.

Long time no see, Joker. Lukas pulled Liam into a hug.

Yeah, well, I hear you guys have been busy here. Liam smiled at Viv.

I’m Viv.

Joker.

Auntie Nyssa, why is your hair brown? inquired Franny.

Well, I need to blend in with a certain type of people and brown works better.

I like blue better.

I smiled. Me too, Honey.

What about you? Eric was staring down Liam.

What do you mean? Joker asked.

What color do you like Auntie Nyssa’s hair?

Liams’ eyes widened. Well... He turned to look at me before focusing on Eric. Dark blue. Um, when she had the light teal streaks in it.

Eric nodded.

Lukas’ lips twitched as he hid a smile.

I frowned. Liam paid attention to my hair. Why did he pay attention to my hair? I cleared my throat. Right. Well, we’re leaving tomorrow and aren’t planning on longer than a month. I gave Viv and the kids a hug.

Lukas crushed me to his massive chest.

Don’t kill him.

I raised an eyebrow. No promises.

We waved goodbye and headed to Pointer’s.

I knocked on the door and let myself in and stopped short. Lukas’ twin was laying on the ground, his crutches to the side.

Jesus, Pointer.

Do you need a hand?

He glanced past me to Joker. Dude. What are you doing here?

Well, apparently, I’m here to pick you up off the floor.  He helped Pointer get back on his feet.

Thanks, man.

He grinned. Anytime. I heard about your heroics. That was some quick thinking.

I’m just glad the tree held up. Pointer had just gotten caught in a rock slide a couple of weeks prior while saving a lost hiker. He’d been lucky.  He hugged Ginny to his side. Joker, this is Ginny. Ginny, Joker. He’s on Grimm’s crew.

Joker, because you like to joke around?

I grunted. Joker, because he has a stick shoved up his ass and can’t take a joke.

He raised an eyebrow at me.

Logan’s eyes narrowed. Nyssa. What did you do to your hair?

I rolled my eyes. I’m joining this stuck up asshole undercover and I need to blend in. So I fucking dyed it my natural brown.

He grinned.

Shut up. I went to the park to say goodbye to Lukas and Viv. Franny and both your kids told me they liked the blue better. And I agree. Anyway, I wanted to come check on you before we left.

He nodded. Be safe.

I smiled. Always.

And for shit’s sake, be nice to Liam.

I shrugged. No promises. I gave him a careful hug and moved on to Ginny. I’ll see you guys when I get back.

Ginny gave me a squeeze and we left.

The ride to base was quiet.

Liam checked his phone as we got pulled in.

That’s the groomer. Jasper’s all done. I’ll, ah... I’ll see you in the morning.

I nodded and went inside, not waiting to see him drive away.

CHAPTER TWO

Nyssa

The following morning, I sat at base, looking at my gear. Liam had text to let me know he was just taking Jasper for a run, but he’d be back in time to leave.

Had I checked the case with the cameras?  Yes. No. Fuck. 

I pulled it out and started over again just in case.

You already did that one.

I ground my teeth at the sound of Joker’s voice.

"How do you know, you