My breath caught. “Don’t you dare speak about my mother with that filthy mouth.”
A fury hotter than the fire before us ignited inside me. Before I could even think about it, my hand moved on its own—I slapped her. Not hard, but just enough.
She stumbled—and fell straight into the fire.
I blinked, startled by the unexpected movement. Before I could even process what was happening, someone sprinted forward and slammed into me, forcing me to the ground. At the same time, he caught Janine in his embrace, shielding her.
Just when I thought my heart couldn’t possibly endure more heartbreak, it crumbled further—especially when Jonathan spun toward me, his expression twisted in rage.
“What the hell is the matter with you, Natasha?” he growled, his golden irises shadowed with fury, lips pulled back just enough to reveal the tips of his fangs. “Janine just came here to greet you, and you pounced on her like some deranged rogue?”