Somebody's Angel (#5 in a Military Romance / BDSM Romance series) (Rescue Me) by Kallypso Masters Page B

No, she’d never even had any inkling that he’d been unfaithful to her.
    But he lied!
    At least by omission. She waited for Carmella to continue.
    “What happened right before he joined the Navy?”
    “I only know Melissa’s side of the story, and I wouldn’t put much faith in that…woman’s…version at all.”
    “Tell me anyway.” She’d confirm it with Marc later. Yes, she’d come to the decision not to leave Aspen before she talked with Marc.
    “Baby, are you okay?”
    Angelina glanced up to find Tony approaching the table, a worried expression on his face. “Where’s D’Alessio?”
    Angelina flushed with embarrassment. He and Marc had appeared to get along at Christmas dinner. Hadn’t they gotten beyond the whole big-brother-as-protector thing? Of course, she’d called him to be just that for her. Well, maybe not to protect her but definitely to rescue her from confronting Marc. Carmella glared up at Tony.
    Hoping to defuse the situation, Angelina stood up. “Tony, I’d like you to meet Marc’s sister , Carmella D’Alessio.” Angelina glared at him.
    Be polite, you big lug.
    Confused, Tony studied Carmella and then Angelina. Remembering the manners that had been drummed into him since he was a kid, he extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Carmella. Tony Giardano.” Their handshake ended almost before it started, but Carmella didn’t mask the animosity in her expression. At least not all D’Alessios masked their feelings.
    Tony’s gaze lit on Angelina again. “Baby, what’s going on? You sounded upset on the phone.”
    She really didn’t want to talk about this in front of Carmella. More pressingly, she also didn’t want to leave before finding Marc and talking with him.
    “I’m sorry. I was upset…but it was just a misunderstanding.”
    Tony blinked. “Misunderstanding.” He stared at her as if to say, “You called me out on a night like this for a misunderstanding?”
    Rather than give him an explanation, Angelina reached for her mug and started clearing her place at the small table. “Yes, and I hate that I got you all the way up here for nothing. Can I get you a coffee or something for the road?” She reached down to pick up her purse.
    “You aren’t coming back with me?”
    “No. Really, Tony, I’m sorry. I was…” …acting like a child… “Misinformed. It’s really embarrassing, but everything’s all right. I’m sure.”
    “You don’t sound sure. Where’s D’Alessio?” Out of the corner of her eye, Angelina saw Carmella stiffen. Tony must have, too, because he amended quickly, “Marc.”
    “He’s out giving ski lessons to a friend’s daughter. He’ll be back soon.”
    Tony shifted his weight. “You sure you don’t want me to stick around? Wait for him to get back off the mountain?”
    Clearly Tony didn’t believe she was okay. How could she convince him? She needed to talk with Marc, but she didn’t need to have a testosterone-laden, overprotective big brother interfering.
    Carmella cleared her mug and napkin from the table. “I’d better get back to work. Angelina, any time you need to talk, just let me know.”
    Tony watched Marc’s sister get up to leave. “We’ll walk back with you. It’s getting dark.”
    Angelina tried to hide her smile, feeling sorry for Carmella who was now, by virtue of her feminine parts, on this overprotective Italian male’s radar, too.
    Carmella seemed confused before surprising her by smiling at his concern. “This is Aspen. We have a very low crime rate. I walk around alone at night all the time.”
    Angelina reached for Carmella’s elbow and led her toward the door. “Don’t even try, Carmella. We’re heading back—together.”
    Tony remained at Angelina’s side as they walked down the street, but he didn’t say anything more.
    “Carmella, thanks for talking me out of making a big mistake.”
    “What are friends for?”
    Angelina hurried along, not wanting Tony to stay too late and drive home on