Stone - Lest We Arent Forgiven

This is a fictional work. The names,characters, incidents, places, and locations are solely theconcepts and products of the authors imagination or are used tocreate a fictitious story and should not be construed as real.

5 PRINCE PUBLISHING & BOOKS, LLC

PO Box 16507

Denver, CO 80216

www.5PrinceBooks.com

ISBN 13: 978-1-63112-160-9

LEST WE ARENT FORGIVEN. Railyn Stone

Copyright Railyn Stone 2016 SMASHWORDSEDITION

Published by 5 Prince Publishing

Front Cover Credit Ermisenda Alvarez

All rights reserved. No part of this book maybe used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without writtenpermission, except in the case of brief quotations, reviews, andarticles. For any other permission please contact 5 PrincePublishing and Books, LLC.

First Edition 2016

5 PRINCE PUBLISHING AND BOOKS, LLC.

To every person whos ever been wronged;forgiveness can set you free.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

I truly am so grateful for your time and yourinterest in my story. I thank you for taking this amazing journeywith me and I hope you enjoy.

Wishing you bliss,

Railyn

Restored Hearts

A Secret to Keep

The Christmas Tree Guy

Bran, Im going to be fine. Kori shook herhead, listening to Brandons concerned voice resound through thereceiver. She knew what she was doing. At least, she wanted tobelieve she knew what she was doing. Stepping out in a newdirection was a big change. Leaving everything shed ever known wasa huge step. But it was time. Time for her to explore life on herown terms.

I dont know about this Kor. You are makinglife-changing decisions at the drop of a hat. Whats going on?Rolling her eyes, she listened to him rattle off the list of thingsshed decided in the last two weeks. This is a little abrupt dontyou think? Quitting your job. And now, driving across the countryon a whim.

Its not a whim, Brandon. Ive alwayswanted to do this. You know that. She tried hard to reassure herbig brother.

Kori, driving that far by yourself; it justisnt safe. Give me a week and I can take off and go with you. Atleast then I can help you get settled. His genuine concernpermeated each nuance in his voice as she continued packingboxes.

Brandon Tagliotti. I know you worry aboutme, but I have to do this for me. I dont need you to hold my handanymore, okay? Im stronger than you think. She held the phonebetween her chin and shoulder and picked up a picture frame.Running her hand across the cool glass, she smiled at the old photocarefully cradled between the glass and the cardboard backingreflecting the image of her and Brandon with their parents. It wasone of the last photos they had taken as a family before theiraccident. Brandon had become her protector and best friend afterthat, and if she stood there long enough shed be reduced to tearsjust thinking about how much she would miss him. She exhaled,cleansing herself of the memories, and wrapped the frame in tissuepaper before placing it in a box.

I never said you werent. I merely want tokeep my sister safe. Is that so wrong? Brandon huffed. To say hewas overprotective was mild. With them being orphaned at such ayoung age and left in their great-aunts care, Brandon had taken itupon himself to serve as her personal bodyguard. Dating had beenthe bane of her existence during her teenage years. His position asan FBI agent didnt make it any better now.

No, its not wrong, but cant youunderstand? I need to do this. Kori waited as she listened to thepregnant pause on the line. She wanted a chance to get on with herlife. Her past would always be a part of her, but she wanted tomove on. She needed it for her own self-preservation.

Look, Kori, I get it. I do. But I just wantto protect you. I dont want to fail at that again. The distinctfrustration in his voice pinched at her heart and she grimacedknowing he still hadnt forgiven himself for something she wouldnever hold him accountable for.

You have never failed me Brandon. Never. Iknow you want to be there every moment, and you want to keep youreyes on me at all times and I appreciate it, but I need thischange. I need it.

Okay, so dye your hair, change jobs, moveacross town

Brandon, come on.

Why California?

Why not? If I dont do this now, I neverwill. You dont know what its like. The looks. The feeling thateveryone feels sorry for me. Ive worked too hard to get past JD.Im a different person now and I can do this. I want to get a freshstart on life. She hated even mentioning her ex-fiancs name, butshe was ready to move on and the only way that was going to happenwas if she moved away from all of the bad memories and made newgood ones.

And you cant do that in Virginia?

Agent Tagliotti, I am not a suspect. Do notpractice your psychological interrogation skills on me. Stoppingin the middle of the room she placed her hand on her hip; like hecould see her in all of her adamant grandeur.

Fine. Kori beamed, knowing Brandon was nothappy at all with her decision to pack up and move. Nor that hedlost the battle with her to drive across the country by herself.But at least humor me and call me on a regular basis. Stop inwell-lit areas when you have to stop for gas. And for heavenssake, please make sure if you are tired that you stop and sleep ina reputable hotel, not some Norman Bates type place.

Anything else, Warden? Kori giggled,sarcasm dripping from her voice.

Look smartie-artie, Im serious. I see waytoo many things that

I know Brandon. I know. Okay? Ill becareful. Now let me go so I can finish getting everything thatdidnt sell in the yard sale packed up for donation. I love you andIll call you before I leave.

I love you too, Sissy. She could hear theresistant resolve in his voice as she ended the call. Taking a seaton the floor of her Aunt Vivians almost empty ranch-style houseshed called home, Kori let out a satiated sigh. She was nervous,but for the first time in a long time, she was excited. Her lifewas about to change. She could feel it.

***

Hearing the door to the gallery chime as itopened, a voice rang out from behind the counter, Were not open.Kori took in the look of the art gallery before turning towards thedirection of the voice. The entire place was somewhat indisarray.

Im sorry, but I was looking for thecurator. I saw you have an opening and I wanted to see if I coulddrop off my rsum, Kori offeredhopefully. The voice was soon connected to a face when a headpopped up from behind the far counter. Kori offered up her megamillion dollar smile and anticipated her baby blue blouse and atailored black suit with matching tiny baby blue pinstripes wouldmake the right impression to garner the job.

You have experience working in agallery?

Ah, well, no. But I love art and minored init in college. Im new in town and I saw your ad. Im a quick studyand I work really hard, Kori rushed to add, seeing doubt cross thebespectacled face of the young woman. She really wanted the job.Shed finally gotten settled in the little California town and eventhough she wasnt desperate for money, she did want to get a job soshe wouldnt have to start tapping too far into her savings. Shedalways been frugal with her money. Something her Aunt Viv hadinstilled in her. And she was glad shed listened to the stern oldwoman, because she had been determined to leave her job as anaccountant, once she was able, and try her hand at her dream. Shedalmost given up, but now was her opportunity and she thought if shedidnt jump on it, she might never get the chance again. It wasalmost as if she was supposed to find the ad for the assistantposition. This would be her opportunity for a new start and awelcome change.