Chapter 1

"If any is against this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Maya stared into Alex's eyes. His smile was warm, certain—the smile of a man who'd waited his whole life for this moment. The priest opened his mouth to continue.

"I object."

The voice came from the back.

Maya's stomach dropped before she even turned around. The guests' heads swiveled in a wave, confused murmurs rippling through the pews.

A man stood in the center aisle. Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a dark suit that could have belonged to any wedding guest. Then Maya saw the gun hanging loosely at his side.

Someone screamed. Then another. The church erupted—chairs scraping, bodies shoving toward the exits, the organist abandoning her bench mid-chord.

He raised the gun and aimed it at Alex.

"No—wait—" Maya's voice cracked, hands reaching.

The shot was deafening in the vaulted space.

Alex crumpled, his white suit suddenly blooming red. Maya didn't realize when she dropped to her knees beside him, subconsciously screaming his name. His eyes shut, body twisted in strange way

"Get up." The man's shadow fell across them both. "We're leaving."

"I'm not—you just—" Her hands were shaking, covered in blood—

He grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet. Her legs buckled, and he hauled her upright before she hit the floor, dragging her down the aisle past overturned flowers.

The parking lot. A black convertible Mercedes, engine running. He shoved her into the passenger’s seat and the door slammed shut.

Maya pressed her palms against the window, watching the church recede as they pulled away. Her wedding dress was stained red. Her veil hung crooked. Somewhere behind them, sirens finally began to wail.

She stared at the man behind the wheel. He looked... relaxed. Like he was driving to the grocery store, not fleeing a murder scene

Who is this?