Benjamin stared at Draco with a confused look. His puzzled gaze turned to Amber as he watched the shock of recognition settle on their faces.
Did they know each other?
"Master Birmingham",he said tentatively. "This is my daughter Amberlynn Hale"
He was ignored as Draco slowly walked up to Amber. His eyes fell on the t-shirt and jean she had on, the clothes he personally chose for her the previous night. Slowly, he looked up at her again and he felt his fury mount.
He couldn't believe that his wife-to-be almost had herself molested in his casino the previous night. If it hadn't been for him, the bastard would have had his way with her. Thinking of it alone made his eyes twitch and he shut it quickly and turned away.
Amber felt like dying. She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. The handsome man that saved her the previous night was Draco? That meant...her eyes widened the more. That meant the club she was last night belonged to him!
He had seen her in her drunken state, saved her from being molested and taken her to his private room at the penthouse. Who knew what else she did? How would he see her now? A naive girl who didn't have a lick of sense in her.
"Master Birmingham, is everything alright?", Benjamin asked suspiciously, after noticing the way Draco stared at his daughter before turning away. His gaze landed on Amber and he couldn't tell what the problem was with the way she avoided his eyes.
Finally putting a leash on his emotions, he turned back and stared at Amber. In her eyes, he could see that she was pleading with him not to say a word to her father. He would have loved to punish her by telling her father everything that happened in the club last night.
But he held himself. She was going to be his wife, so he would punish her himself. He raked his eyes over her body one last time before turning away and returning to his seat.
"Your daughter is indeed beautiful Benjamin", he said casually, and a devilish smile lifted the corners of his lips. He gazed at Amber lazily, letting his cold blue gaze wash over her. "I am glad to have her as my wife"
Amber frowned. What was with the act, she thought? Why the sudden change of attitude?
Unaware of what was going on between his daughter and the young billionaire, Benjamin smiled proudly.
"She takes after her late mother",he said wistfully. "And I assure you, Amber is well trained and well-behaved. She will not give you any trouble"
"Amber",Draco whispered the name huskily, his eyes burning with intensity. He had been regretting his decision ever since he agreed to marry Benjamin's daughter. But now that he had seen her, he was glad he agreed to. There was something about the girl that called to him, and he would take his time finding out what it was.
"Well",he said in a businesslike tone. "Now that all has been settled, I will be taking her away with me"
Amber felt fear coil at the pit of her stomach. Now that it was happening, she was terrified. She didn't want to leave her father, her home.
"Will the wedding still take place at the court today?",Benjamin asked, wanting to spend a little more time with Amber before she left him forever.
Draco shook his head instantly. "The wedding will take place in a few weeks time",he announced. "It will be grand, and every important individual will be in attendance".
"But Master Birmingham",Benjamin protested. "You... you said it would happen today..."
"And I have changed my mind",Draco said smoothly. "Knowing how prestigious I am, I think it would be a big letdown if my wedding isn't the talk of the town. She leaves with me today"
Draco had been intent on doing the wedding at the court that particular day. But after seeing Amber, he suddenly had a change of heart. She would make a fine bride for him.
He suddenly got up from his seat. With a snap of his fingers, one of the bodyguards stepped forward and dropped a sleek suitcase on the centre table.
Benjamin's eyes nearly popped out when the suitcase was opened and he saw numerous thick wads of dollar bills. It would be more than ten million dollars by his estimation, much more than the debt he had on his neck.
"Pay off your debts Benjamin",Draco stated coldly. "And stay off gambling. I wouldn't rescue your neck next time"
Benjamin gulped, his eyes still glued on the cash before him. "Master Birmingham this is more than I owe"
"Consider the rest a token of my affection for your daughter",Draco said, his eyes falling briefly on Amber. "It is an assurance that she will be well taken care of. Now if you don't mind, I will take my wife with me"
Benjamin looked towards his daughter, and when he saw the fear in his eyes, he began to question his decision of marrying her off to Draco. He had to keep reminding himself that it was for her protection.
"Give us a minute to help her pack",he said finally.
"There is no need for that",Draco waved his request aside. "All she needs will be provided. However, I will give you a few minutes to say your goodbyes"
Draco stared at Amber for a while longer before he walked out of the living room, his six body guards right behind him.
Amber rushed into her father's embrace the moment the door was slammed shut.
"Oh father",she sobbed. "Do I really need to do this? I do not want to go with him". Why did her father have to involve himself in gambling? Why was she the victim here?
Benjamin stroked his daughter's hair softly and whispered soothing words to her. "This is for the best Amber. I promise, you will understand someday"
Amber shook her head but tightened her arms around her father's neck. She missed him already. But it was too late to change things now.
"Promise to come visit",she whispered.
"I promise, Clarissa and I will",he assured her.
After a tearful goodbye with Clarissa, she held her father's arm as he led her outside.
There were two sleek limos parked outside the mansion beside the road. Amber felt her eyes would roll off their sockets. Just how rich was Draco Birmingham?
One of the bodyguards was standing beside the limo at the back. Amber recognized him instantly as the driver that drove her home from the club that morning. She ducked her head in embarrassment. What would they all think of her now?
"I will always be with you my darling", Benjamin caressed Amber's cheeks when he stopped at the porch. "Promise me that you will be good"
Unable to answer, Amber nodded. And she watched as her father turned and walked back inside the house.
Slowly, she walked down the steps towards the limo. The guard, still in a dark sunshade, silently opened the door for her.
Taking in a deep breath, she entered the cool and breathtaking interior and perched at the edge of the seat. Draco sat a few meters from her, scrolling through an iphone with a glass of scotch in his hands.
The minute the bodyguard shut the door, she felt a cold hand close over elbow and pull her across the seat.
Amber only had enough time to let out a surprised gasp before she found herself face to face with Draco, his arms tight around her waist while his eyes stared coldly into hers.