Never in my life have I felt so alone. This is why I shouldn't have gone home with Jex the first night I met him. This is why I should've let my father and brother run a background check on him when they said they wanted to. Because now I've fallen for Jex, and I can't just turn my feelings off.

When he says he didn't know I was a Cobra, I believe him, because there's no way that a Viper would ever be with a Cobra. There's no way that a Viper would open up to a Cobra with so much information if it was all just information for his crew. Just like I didn't know he was a viper, and if I had known, I would have never gone home with him. I would have never stepped into his bar.

"Bella," Dad knocks and pushes my bedroom door open.

I look up from my crossed legged position on the bed and quickly wipe away my tears. "Hey Dad."

"Sweetheart," he sighs and makes his way into the room, sitting upon my bed and pulls me into his arms. "What's the matter? I thought I heard you crying in here," he says sadly.

"Y-you haven't spoken to Amelia?" I ask surprised.

"I've spoken to her yes. She mentioned that Jex Shelby (aka. Jex Viper), paid her a little visit, whilst she was on her own at the club today, but that's all. Why did the two of you have a fight?"

"Something like that," I sniffle, as I snuggle into him.

"I'm sure the two of you will work it out, you're family," he kisses the top of my head. "Your mother tells me we're meeting this boyfriend of yours tonight."

"She shouldn't have told you, because it's not happening. We broke up, today actually."

"So that's the real reason you're in here in tears," he sighs. "I'm assuming he broke up with you, as you're so sad?"

"It kind of happened very quickly. It was like the world made up its mind on us, and it just ended. Neither of us said the words, but it's over."

"I'm going to ask you this. Did he hurt you?"

"No, he didn't hurt me. I'm just hurt because we're not together anymore and I really, really liked him."

"Oh sweetheart," Dad sighs. "I know that it hurts right now, but you'll be okay. You're smart and beautiful, funny and kind, any man would be lucky to have you."

"You're just saying that because you're my dad," I giggle through the tears.

"Okay, well yes, I may be a little bit biased. But I know it's true, because I have a line up of Cobra boys who would love to be with you."

"Daddy we've been over this."

"I know, I know, you're not interested. They're too much like family " he rolls his eyes, with a soft huff.

Knock, knock.

My bedroom door sounds once more and I look up to find Amelia standing there.

"Millie, what are you doing here?" I ask softly.

"I just came to talk," she gives me a small, hopeful smile.

"I'll leave you to it," Dad stands up and exits the room.

Millie makes her way in and closes the door behind her, locking it, before making her way over to my bed. She then sits down next to me and pulls me into her arms. "I'm sorry," she says softly.

I begin to sob gently in her arms. I hate fighting with people, but I'd hate to be fighting with Amelia the most. She's not only my cousin but also my best friend and I don't know what I'd do without her.

"What are you sorry for? It's me who messed up. It's me who was literally sleeping with the enemy."

"Yeah, but you didn't know he was the enemy and I shouldn't have acted the way I did," she sighs softly and pulls back. "Do you want to start at the beginning?"

I nod my head and dry my tears quickly. I tell Millie the entire story, about how I met Jex and how we'd slept together. Then everything that happened after our dates. About all of the time we spent together; and that I was really, really falling for him and I am truly shattered over all of this.

"Wow," she breathes out, with a soft sigh. "So the entire time you were together he never asked you anything about the Cobras?"

"No, and he never mentioned the Vipers to me either. I honestly don't believe he had any idea that I was a Cobra."

"So what now?"

"Well we're over, and I guess I'll never see him again," I sigh, tears welling in my eyes once more. "And, I think it's best that we don't tell anyone it was him I was seeing. I told Dad my boyfriend and I had broken up. I'll tell the rest of the family the same, they don't need to know who it was or why."

"I won't say anything to anyone about it being Jex," Millie gives me another small smile. "I'm really sorry Bella, you seemed really happy. I just can't believe that you finally found someone you like, and he turns out to be the leader of the Vipers."

"Me either," I take a deep breath. "But I guess that's just the way it is," I sigh, as look around the room. "I just, I don't know what to do with myself honestly. I'm so used to being at Jex's place, spending time with him."

"You'll be okay. You still have me the girls and I," she wraps her arm around me once more.

...

After pulling myself together and getting ready for the night, I head downstairs dressed in a tight black, to the knee, dress with a thick gold belt around the middle, black heels, and my long blonde hair out and curled. I even managed to hide my dark circles and puffy eyes from all the tears, with my make up.

"Hey," Cody, one of the Cobra boys smiles, as he stands in my kitchen.

"Hey," I give him a small smile back and look around. "Uh, I don't want to sound rude or anything, but why are you here and where are my parents?" I giggle softly.

"They had to take off early, so they asked me to pick you up and drive you to dinner."

"Oh. They uh, didn't mention they were leaving," I nod my head slowly, already catching on to what is happening. My dad just can't help himself.

"Shall we go?" Cody smiles once more

"Yeah, lead the way."

I follow Cody out to the car and he opens my door for me. I slide in and pull my seatbelt on, while he comes around the other side and gets into the driver's seat.

Cody has worked for my father for the last five years. He is around three years older than me and rather easy on the eye. He's tall with dark hair, dark eyes, and tanned skin, much like the other Cobra boys he's covered in tattoos and always dressed well.

Tonight is no exception, he's dressed in tight black jeans and a dress shirt in pale blue, with the sleeves rolled and his top button undone.

I like Cody, he's always been very kind to me. Whilst yes, he's handsome and kind, I've just never seen myself with him, if for no other reason than he's a Cobra. The last thing I would ever want to do is start a relationship with someone who works for my dad. If something happened between us it could hurt their position within the crew.

"I'm sorry about your boyfriend by the way," Cody speaks as he drives.

"Oh, uh, yeah thank-you," I give him a soft smile.

"You were probably too good for him anyway," he gives me a small grin.

I giggle softly and shake my head. "Thank you, you're very sweet."

...

We arrive at the restaurant, once again Cody opens the car door for me and we enter the building together. As we enter I notice almost everyone is already here and all eyes are on me.I'm assuming Dad has told them all my boyfriend won't be joining, I can tell by the way they're looking at me.

"You good?" Cody asks as he places his hand on the small of my back.

"I'm okay," I give him a small smile, as we continue to move toward the table.

I say my hellos to everyone and then find a seat next to Amelia, who has a good looking male next to her. I've never seen him before.

"Hey," I put on my best fake smile, as I sit down next to her.

"Hey!" She smiles, pulling her attention from the handsome stranger. "Have you met Riv?" She questions.

"Uh, no I haven't. Hi I'm Bella," I hold my hand out to him.

"Andrew Rivers, but everyone calls me Riv," he smiles, as he takes my hand, shaking it. "I'm working as the Cobra lawyer, we'll I'm learning. Amelia's mother Mia is teaching me the tricks of the trade, for when she's ready to step down."

"Thinking ahead; she's always been one step ahead, Aunty Mia," I smile. "Well, welcome to the crazy Cobra family, Riv."

"Thanks, I have a feeling I'm going to like it," he grins, then turns his attention back to Amelia and the two of them start up their flirtatious conversation once more.

...

The rest of the night goes on much the same. I sit, observing everyone eating, drinking, chatting amongst themselves. Everyone is rather partnered up tonight as well; of course Millie is sitting with Riv, Armarni is with Ace, Aria is with her boyfriend Logan, and much to my surprise Abel has chosen to sit with Ruby tonight. The two of them are looking rather close. Hell, even Sophia is flirting up a storm with a Sam, who she's been crushing on for years now.

Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder, I look up to see Cody standing there with a soft smile. "Come for a smoke with me."

"Sure," I nod and stand to my feet, stepping out from the chair, which Cody then pushes in.

We make our way out the side door of the restaurant together and he makes his way out onto the smoking deck, then lights up a cigarette.

"Are you okay? You seem a little lost tonight," he asks, as he takes a drag.

"I guess I'm a little lost," I admit. "I just don't know what to do with myself. I look around at all of you guys and how happy you all look, I just, you're right I'm feeling lost."

"Hey, chin up beautiful," he gives me a small sympathetic smile. "It sucks right now, but you'll be okay."

"Is that the best pep talk you have?" I giggle.

He takes another drag of his smoke, before putting it out under his foot and takes a sip of the beer he'd carried out with him.

"There's a lot of things I could tell you Bella, lots of things I could say to make you feel better ..."

"But?" I question, as I look up at him.

"But," he takes a step closer and places his hand on the side of my neck, half on my cheek and pulls me closer to him. "I could probably make you feel even better with my actions rather than my words," he smirks softly, before pulling me close, pressing his lips to mine.

I close my eyes for a moment and allow the kiss the happen. I know this is wrong but with my eyes closed and the taste of cigarette on his breath, I allow myself to feel as if I'm with Jex and not Cody. He slowly deepens it and pushes my body backward towards the brick wall, until it's flat against it, as we continue to kiss.

"What the fuck is going on out here?" Abel's voice speaks from behind us.

This chapter has been proofread by the amazing ElleRWrites