Harris stays down. Petr goes with him, planting his knee on his chest while his fake leg is straight off to the side. He's pounding the shit out of Harris's face. Blood flies everywhere, terrifying me. If he kills Harris … if he hurts him enough to go to jail …
How can this be my sweet Petr?
"Petr!" I shout, horrified. "Stop!"
He pauses and looks up towards me, his face and upper body splattered with blood.
Harris isn't moving.
My heart is pounding hard. I'm not sure which is worse: the sight of all the blood or knowing my brother would probably kill Harris, if given the chance.
Petr checks Harris's pulse and then stands, walking towards the deck.
I pull lose from Riley and go to my brother, meeting him when he reaches the top of the stairs. Staring at him, I'm not at all sure what to say or feel. I hate violence, and he just beat the shit out of someone.
He offers me a quick smile and lifts his chin at Carson and Riley.
"Show's over!" Riley calls to those on the deck. He starts waving people away from the railing. "Anyone want to call an ambulance?"
"Petr!" I don't know what else to say. Gazing up at my bloodied brother, I'm horrified by what he's done and amazed he did it. His features soften until he's my Petr again. "What the hell -"
"Hush, Katya," he says gruffly but quietly. "Let me defend my little sister in peace." A note much firmer than any he's ever used with me is present. "Okay?"
I nod somewhat uncertainly.
"I told him never to come back," he adds. "No one is going to hurt my family, especially not a dickweed like that one."
Tears fill my eyes. Despite the blood that's grossing me out, I'm a little touched by his determination. I never really noticed how alone I feel in my own family, like I'm the one trying to take care of everyone else.
"Are you okay?" I venture, not yet sure if it's safe to talk yet.
"Awesome. Haven't gotten punched in a while. Almost forgot what it felt like," Petr says cheerfully.
"You're so weird."
"And you're so stubborn. If anyone ever bothers you again and you don't tell me, I'll be pissed at you, Katya."
"You're not my boss," I fire back.
"I'm your brother." He pushes me away to see my eyes. "We stick together. You beat up my girlfriends, and I beat up the guys bugging you."
I'm not used to my brother being assertive. He's a strong, good man. I'm surprised to find that I'm not angry for him standing up to me. There was a time when I'd be furious at him. It makes me think Captain Mathis was right yet again: Petr is so much stronger than I gave him credit for. Even missing a leg, he can beat the shit out of anyone. It shouldn't make me proud, but it does.