Bella's POV:

It's been a week since Jex and I put everything on the table about our families, and for the past week I've spent five of the seven days at his place. Most of the time I lie to my parents and tell them I'm staying with a friend, but I'm pretty sure they're onto me. However, whilst they don't ask me questions I won't be answering any.

Tonight is the opening of Inferno, the bar and club that Marni and Amelia are opening. The only club in town now they've burnt down Jex's. As much as I almost don't want to go, because of everything that's happened, I know that I have to. Amelia and I have always been very close and I don't want to let her down by not attending.

I kept the opening to myself, up until last night, and didn't mention anything to Jex. Not because I think he'll do anything bad, like blow it up (as my cousins did to him). But because I was worried he might get annoyed that I'm attending the place that cost him his business. But to my surprise, after talking to him last he wasn't annoyed at all. He said that he understood why I needed to go, family is still family and that he supports whatever I want and need to do.

I know it's only been a week, but I do feel really supported by Jex. Now that everything is out in the open we speak a lot more openly to one another. I speak about my family and he speaks about his, but we don't speak about the Cobras or the Vipers. The closest we've gotten, is Jex coming home annoyed one afternoon. I asked him if he was okay and he said it had been a long day, and he had a lot happening at work.

Whilst I know that I've been extremely open with Jex, about things like my father killing his, and I know it could blow up in my face if he wanted to use it against me. Despite the fact I am scared about it, my feelings for Jex are so strong that I didn't want to keep something as big as that from him and risk having it blow up in my face later. We both agreed to be open and honest, adding that whatever was said wouldn't leave the room and I believe that he will stick to his word.

"You look beautiful," I hear from behind me.

I look in the mirror at my reflection and smile at Jex standing in the doorway, admiring my outfit, a figure-hugging white lace dress with small sleeves and some strappy white heels to match. "Thank-you," I smile at him, still looking at him through the mirror. I pull my blonde curled hair over my shoulder and using the blonde coloured hair tie on my wrist, tie it to keep it in place just over one shoulder.

"I wish I was going with you. Especially when you look this good," he whispers now standing behind me, his arms wrap around my waist and he presses his lips to the side of my neck, sending chills all over my body.

"Mmm, I wish you could come as well," I snuggle back into his arms. "But all of my family will be there, my brother included, and they all know who you are. I don't want to risk any bad blood."

"I know," he presses another kiss to the side of my neck and lets go of his hold on me, moving back. I spin around and wrap my arms around his neck, smiling up at him. "I know we're not meant to talk about work-related things, but I wouldn't be able to come tonight anyway, because I have a job to do."

"Oh," I reply softly. "I know I'm not meant to ask but ..."

"It's uh, it's risky," he nods his head, cutting me off before I even got to finish my sentence. "And it has nothing to do with the Cobras."

"Okay," I nod my head slowly. "Well, will you text me throughout the night so I know you're okay?"

"I will," he tucks a stray piece of hair behind the opposite ear to my pony tail. "I'll text you, and I'll call you when I'm on my way home."

"Okay," I nod.

He leans down and presses a kiss to my lips, before pulling back. "I'll see you later."

"See you later," I give him a soft smile and watch as he heads towards the door. "Jex," I call to him quickly and watch as he turns, looking at me once more. "I love you," I finally admit.

Jex and I have told each other we loved each other once, and that was in the heat of the moment fight, the night he stopped by the side of the road to help me with the car. Since then Jex has told me once that he loved me and I, of course, didn't know what to say. I wasn't sure I even believed him, how could he love me? We've only known each other a few months. But I think that was just my self-doubt talking, because I love him too and I think I have since the day I met him.

"I love you too," he grins.

"I'll see you later tonight," I smile nervously.

...

Inferno looks amazing, the music is pumping and there are neon lights all around the room, adding extra vibes. Even behind the bar, where Inferno is written in a large circle, illuminated in pink, attached to the exposed brick wall, throwing a pink glow all across the wall.

I'll admit the girls have done a really good job with the place, of course, everything is brand new so it looks amazing. They really seem to have an eye for detail, because everything is perfectly matched and goes well together. The club also seems to throw off girly kind of vibes, but doesn't at the same time, which I find really clever as well.

The club is already fully staffed, with plenty of staff working behind the bar, which is lucky considering the place is packed wall to wall. The atmosphere buzzing with excitement over a brand new club, that and well, the fact it's the only club in town now, with the next one being forty minutes away.

I've been at the club for a couple of hours now. However, whilst I still love spending time with all of my family (the club is amazing), I can't help but worry about Jex. He hasn't messaged in the two hours that I've been here and I'm starting to feel sick.

"Hey," Millie grins, as she takes a seat next to me, a drink in her hand.

"Hey," I give her a fake smile back.

"You seem a little distracted tonight."

"Uh, nope I'm good," I smile softly once more.

"And that's why you've been on your phone all night huh?" She reaches her hand across the table and attempts to take my phone, which I snatch quickly, pulling it towards me. "Bella," she frowns. "Please tell me you're not still seeing Jex?"

"I ...,"

"Hey beautiful," Riv the good looking, new Cobra lawyer wraps his arms around Amelia, kissing her cheek.

"Hi handsome," she giggles and spins on her chair, pressing her lips to his.

Phew, that's my way out of a really awkward conversation.

"Well, well, well, what the hell is going on here?" I grin.

"Well," Millie places her hands on her hips and spins back on her chair, facing me once more. "You've been missing for weeks and I can never reach you, so I haven't had a chance to tell you, but Riv and I are together."

"Oh really?" I grin, crossing my arms over my chest. "I thought you didn't want to date a Cobra boy?"

"I changed my mind," she giggles happily and turns to Riv, smiling up at him.

"Well, welcome to the crazy family Riv," I smile over at them. "And if you hurt my girl, I'll hurt you."

"I have no intention of hurting her, but I'll keep that in mind," he grins. "Would you girls like another drink?"

"I'm fine thank-you."

"I'll come and introduce you to the staff, so they know to give you free drinks," Millie stands to her feet. "We'll be right back."

I watch them walk away and check my phone once again. Still no messages from Jex. I place my phone back down on the table and look around the room. Marni and Ace are on the dance floor, looking very close as usual. I don't know why she won't just put a title on them. Soph and Zarah are also dancing, a few guys are attempting to get their attention, but they don't seem to notice.

Over near the bar is Jackson and Aria, who are laughing together as they have a few drinks, Tommy and Cody also with them. Off to the side, just the two of them, is my brother Abel and Ruby, why am I not surprised? I watch them for a moment. Abel whispers something and then Ruby giggles at his words, I break into a smile. I just don't see why he won't settle down and stop sleeping around. It's blatantly obvious that he likes Ruby, and she likes him.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

One new text message: Jexy who's too sexy - I'm still working, I'm fine. x

Keep me posted xo

I text back quickly, before hitting send.

"What are you doing over here all alone girlfriend?" Soph grins, as she sits down next to me.

"Uh, Millie and Riv went to get a drink, so I was just waiting on them to come back."

"Why don't you come and dance with us?" Zarah adds, as she now also joins us.

"Because I have the perfect view from right here," I look towards my brother Abel and Ruby once more, both Soph and Zarah's eyes following mine.

"I don't know why the two of them won't just admit they're crushing hard," Zarah grins.

"Oh leave them alone. If it's meant to be it'll be; besides Abel needs to get over his whoring days before Ruby would ever be with him," Soph comments.

"That's exactly why he needs to do something about it now, she's not going to wait around forever," Zarah fires back.

Buzz, buzz.

One new text message: Jexy who's too sexy - I'm on my way home beautiful. Don't rush home though.

I know what you're thinking, his text message is sweet. Don't rush home; like he's telling me to stay out and have a good time with my friends. But something in the pit of my stomach is telling me otherwise. I've been in this life long enough to know how to pick up on signs. One of the things I've picked up on over the years, is that Dad never wants mom or I around when he's hurt, because we fuss over him and get panicked at the sight of blood. The other thing I've learned is to always trust your gut.

"I'm actually feeling really tired," I tell the girls, interrupting the argument about Abel and Ruby. "I think I'm going to call it a night and head home."

"Party pooper," Soph pouts.

...

Saying goodbye to everyone wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I thought I'd be peppered with questions about why I was leaving and where I was going, but surprisingly nobody asked.

After making my way around to everyone, saying my goodbyes quickly, I stepped into the next available taxi and gave them Jex's address.

The taxi pulls up out the front of Jex's home and I open my clutch, retrieving my money to pay the driver. "Thank-you," I smile politely and step out of the car.

I make my way to the front door quickly and using my key unlock it. Stepping inside, I then close the door softly behind me and lock it. The house is quiet, too quiet for my liking.

I make my way into the living room and check the garage, but Jex isn't there. I then head up the stairs and into his bedroom.

"Fuck," I hear him hiss in pain and follow the sound of his voice into the bathroom.

Catching what must've been only a shadow in the mirror, Jex picks up his gun, which is sitting upon the bathroom vanity and turns quickly, pointing it at me. His face beaten and bloody.

I gasp softly and take a step back. "It's just me."

"Fuck Bella. I could have fucking shot you," he snaps. "What are you even doing here?" He snarls, anger filling his voice as he places the gun back down.

"You didn't want me to come here, so I knew something was up and now I see why," I take a step toward him.

"You knew I didn't want you to come here, so you came here. That makes a lot of sense," he rolls his eyes and looks at himself in the mirror once more, cleaning his wound.

"Hey," I snap back with a frown, as I place my hand on his arm. "Don't talk to me like that. I'm not the one who did this to you," I remind him.

He sighs and hangs his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I just really didn't want you to come here and see me like this."

"I've seen it all before Jex, I'm not going to freak out and run away over it," I lean over and open the drawer, pulling out his first aid kit. "Sit," I push him gently towards the bath.

He takes a seat on the edge of the bath and looks up at me while I begin to pull a few things from the kit. I make my way over with a wet washcloth and begin cleaning the blood from his face. Thankfully most of the blood on is his face is blood from his lip, which is bleeding heavily still.

"You don't look as bad now as you did when I first walked in," I smile down at him.

"Oh you think I look bad? You should see the other guy," he grins, then places the washcloth in his hand to his lip. "Argh fuck," he mumbles.

I giggle softly at his pain. "That's what you get for being mean to me a second ago," I finish cleaning his face off and then assess his lip. "It's pretty deep," I continue my assessment. "I don't think it's deep enough for stitches, maybe a little bit of glue though, just in case. Do you have any?"

"There should be some in the drawer Dr. Ricci," he teases, a slight side grin appearing upon the side of his face that isn't injured.

"You know, on second thought I think I might just leave you here to bleed out," I raise my brow at him.

"Fine, I'll stop being a smart ass," he chuckles softly.

...

It takes me no time at all to get his lip glued and everything in the bathroom cleaned up, while he showered. When he was done, I myself stepped into the shower and cleaned off, ready for bed.

I step into the bedroom wearing my sleep shorts and a singlet, I look over at Jex who is laying in bed, a pained look on his face.

"You feeling okay?" I question, as I make my way over to the bed.

"My head is a little sore, but I'll be fine. I just need some sleep I think."

"Would you like some pills?"

"If you don't mind, they're in the kitchen cupboard."

I head down to the kitchen, get the pills and a glass of water, then head back into the bedroom. "Here baby," I hand him the pills and the glass of water, which he washes down quickly.

"Do you have blurred vision?" I question.

"No, I can see your beautiful face just fine," he winks.

"Do you feel like you're going to be sick?"

"No," he shakes his head.

"Ringing in your ears?"

"Nope."

"Okay, well it doesn't sound like you're concussed."

"Damn, I was only joking about you being Dr. Ricci; but maybe you should consider it."

"Oh what, Dr. Ricci, specialist in Mafia injuries? Doctor to all Mafia organisations on the coast," I giggle.

"I mean it could work, as long as the mafia groups didn't mind sharing you. Unfortunately for them, I don't like sharing," he pulls me down into his arms. "So I think I'll keep you all to myself."

I giggle once more, as I snuggle up in his arms. "All jokes aside, I'm so glad you're okay."

"And I'm glad you're here taking care of me," he presses a kiss to my head.

"Okay, maybe you are concussed; you're being very sweet tonight."

"A guy tries to be nice his to girl and this is what he gets," he jokes. "I don't know, you girls these days all want some kind of rough Mafia boy, with tattoos, slicked back hair and a bad attitude; then when we're nice, you act all shocked."

I roll my eyes playfully and giggle loudly. "Good night Jex."

This chapter has been proof read and edited by the amazing ElleRWrites