Anger started a sullen glow in his gut. Z hadn’t asked a favor; he’d given an order. What kind of bullshit is this? From the set of Z’s jaw, there would be no discussion about refusing this trainee. Marcus could either take on the submissive or step aside as trainer.

But he liked supervising the trainees, helping them broaden their education as submissives, helping them find a dom to match their needs. And the volunteer position filled his need to give back to the community. He tapped his fingers on the bar and considered his options. Perhaps he should meet the new trainee before burning his bridges behind him. As he’d slowly come to know the other Masters, he realized he’d never found a club that suited him so well.

“I’ll work with her.” For now. Then he gave Z a steady look and drew his line in the sand. “You are the owner, sir, but they’re my trainees. I would be most grateful if you could remember that.” Don’t do it again.

Gray eyes level, Z tilted his head in acknowledgement and slid the trainee’s paperwork down the bar top.

With a grin, the bartender set a drink on the bar. “You know, Marcus, you say fuck you almost as politely as the boss.”

Marcus huffed a laugh. No one stayed riled up around Cullen very long. He scanned the papers, giving Cullen the high points. A short summary would go on the bulletin board for the other Shadowlands Masters since they all participated in sub training. “No medical disease or problems. No phobias she’s willing to admit to. She doesn’t want any serious pain, piercing, scarring. Bondage and sex are okayed.” Fairly normal for a trainee’s choices. “Would you please give me a set of trainee cuffs and ribbons?”

The bartender rummaged in the shelves below the bar top, then handed over a pair of gold-colored leather wrist cuffs and a box of colored ribbons.

Marcus added the appropriate ribbons to the cuffs, the colors indicating what the trainee would permit: yellow for mild pain, blue for bondage, green for sex. No red ribbons for severe pain. “Many of the choices have question marks. The information about her past experience is sketchy.” He glanced at Z, hoping for an explanation.