The wedding guests were on their feet now. Voices rose in confusion and anger. Someone shouted for hotel security. The officiant backed away from the altar, clutching his ceremony book like a shield. "Stop this," Elena demanded.
You're assaulting him in front of a hundred witnesses. Briggs pulled handcuffs from his belt with his free hand. The metal clicked as he opened them. "The only thing being assaulted here is the law. " Your boyfriend's been running around with fake Federal ID for months. Marcus felt the cold steel close around his left wrist.
The sound echoed in his ears like a gunshot. He kept his breathing steady, controlled. This was happening, but he wouldn't let them break him. "Show me one piece of evidence," Marcus said through clenched teeth. One document, one witness, anything that supports what you're claiming.
"I don't owe you anything. " Briggs snapped the second cuff around Marcus'ss right wrist, yanking his arms tight behind his back. "You're a criminal. Criminals don't get explanations. " Elena stepped closer, her face flushed with fury. "This is illegal detention. You're violating his constitutional rights.
I'm a federal prosecutor and I'm telling you to stop. " Briggs shoved Marcus toward the center aisle hard. Marcus stumbled but kept his feet, his wedding jacket pulling tight across his shoulders. "Federal prosecutor," Briggs sneered. "Sure you are, honey, and I'm the Pope. " He grabbed Marcus by the back of his shirt and began dragging him toward the ballroom exit. Marcus'ss polished dress shoes scraped against the floor.
Wedding guests scrambled out of the way, some pulling out phones to record what was happening. Elena followed behind them, her heels clicking rapidly on the wooden floor. "Stop. You can't do this. I demand to see your supervisor. " Briggs didn't slow down.
He hauled Marcus through the center of the ballroom like he was dragging a sack of grain. "Demand all you want. Nobody's coming to save your boyfriend. " Briggs hauled Marcus down the center aisle with brutal efficiency. Wedding guests pressed against their chairs, creating a narrow path through the stunned crowd. Marcus'ss feet barely touched the ground as Briggs dragged him forward, the handcuffs cutting into his wrists.
"Anyone tries to help this fraud, they go down, too," Briggs announced loudly, his voice carried across the silent ballroom like a threat. "This is police business. Stay in your seats and keep your mouth shut. " The four officers behind him spread out slightly, their hands resting on their service weapons. They looked uncomfortable, but followed orders. One of them gestured for the guests to move back.
"Clear the path! " Briggs barked over his shoulder. "Get these people out of the way. " Marcus kept his breathing steady despite the pain shooting through his shoulders. The handcuffs were too tight. His wedding jacket pulled against the metal restraints. The expensive fabric already beginning to tear.