Graduation (Kingmakers, #5)

by Sophie Lark

“This is what you want?” I sneer at Adrik. “A lapdog who agrees with everything you say? Even when he KNOWS it’s the wrong choice! But no one will call you out because they also know you’re a stubborn fucking DICTATOR who won’t listen to anyone but himself!” “I should string you up by the ankles for what you did,” Adrik snarls, his voice low and vicious. “You HUMILIATED me!” I scream back at him. “I made a deal, I gave my word, and you carried me out like a toddler! You think Kovalenko’s gonna keep that to himself? He’ll tell the whole fucking city! No one will respect me, because my own partner doesn’t!” The memory of Adrik throwing me over his shoulder makes my whole body burn with a heat that’s painful, that feels like it’ll swallow me whole. I wish it fucking would. I’ve never been so embarrassed, or so hurt. I see the tiniest flicker of shame on Adrik’s face—acknowledgment that what he did was wrong. But he won’t fucking say it, he won’t admit it or apologize. I’m so tired of the lies. Tired of the bullshit. I want the truth, once and for all. Pointing my figure at Adrik I say, “Are you going to treat me as an equal or not?” Adrik looks at me, his jaw flexing. “I’m always going to do what I think is right. For all of us.” “So that’s a no?” “I’m not going to go against what I know is best for me and my men.” “THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT IN DUBROVNIK!” I scream at him. “I was honest from you with you from the beginning! I told you exactly who I was and what I want...