August 6 2020
WEDDING VENUE, OUTDOOR GARDEN — MID-AFTERNOON
The chairs were filled. Strings played softly under the shade of towering trees wrapped in twinkle lights. Guests murmured excitedly. The sun was golden. The air was still.
Dave stood at the altar, a mixture of calm and anxiety in his eyes. He looked breathtakingly sharp in his dark tailored suit. Mateo — dressed in a tiny tux — sat on Tony's lap in the front row, babbling softly.
All eyes turned toward the aisle as the music shifted.
Just behind the draped entry, AJ stood with Tony, veil lowered, hand clutching her bouquet. Her heart pounded — not with fear, but with everything this moment meant. Her mother's necklace was around her neck. Her abuela had adjusted her train. She was ready.
But Luke wasn't watching the bride.
He was watching the crowd.
---
PERIMETER, LUKE'S POV
Luke stood just beyond the edge of the ceremony, behind a trimmed hedge, speaking quietly into a comm.
Luke - Patrol A — check row seven, third from the aisle. That woman wasn't on the entry list
he said, eyes narrowing.
The woman in question — late twenties almost thirty, unshaven, suit that didn't quite fit — was shifting oddly in his seat. No phone, no camera, no movement except for his hands... fidgeting with something in his jacket.
Luke - Visual confirmation: no invitation badge
Luke muttered.
Luke - And she's not reacting to the music. She's not here for the wedding."
Luke began to move.
Fast.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN, AJ WAITING
Tony glanced at AJ, unaware of what was happening outside.
Tony- You ready, hermanita?
AJ exhaled and nodded.
AJ - Born ready.
But just as the song swelled and the crowd turned—
Luke-WAIT!
Luke's voice cut through the soft music. His body was already in motion.
Guests gasped as he moved in on the man in the crowd, reaching for his side just as the man tried to stand.
A scuffle.
A shout.
Several people stood in alarm — but within seconds, Luke had the woman pinned, and one of the undercover guards swept in to take over.
The music stopped.
Dave stepped forward instinctively, trying to see AJ.
AJ - What happened?
AJ asked, frozen behind the curtain, trying to peek through.
Luke reappeared by the side of the aisle, a bit breathless but calm.
Luke - It's handled
he told the officiant quietly.
Luke - Keep the ceremony moving. We don't stop her moment.
He went to Dave and whispered
Luke - the woman is called Bello she use to be AJs intern
Dave - I honestly don't like her
---
THE AISLE
The music resumed. The panic faded.
The curtain parted — and there she was.
AJ emerged, tall and elegant, walking slowly down the aisle with Tony and Daniel by her side. The crowd exhaled. Mateo giggled. Dave's heart nearly stopped.
For a moment, AJ's eyes flicked to Luke, who gave her the slightest nod — silent assurance that her day, her family, her life... were safe.
Then she looked at Dave.
And nothing else mattered.
