"You were saying something, young man. If I got you right you're saying that even you would love to take the last one." Jose said smiling. He turned to look at Melissa with a quizzical look.
"Young lady, do you agree?" He asked.
Jessie raised his head slightly to look directly into Melissa's eyes with a pleading look that meant to beg Melissa to say yes. Even without saying a word, Melissa understood perfectly what he was trying to tell her. It took her a minute to decide because her mind was made up at first to take the whip for him.
"Yes, I agree." She said almost sobbing. She remembered that Jose had threatened that anyone who cries over the person that is getting beaten was going to also get beaten and since she did not want Jason's sacrifice to be in vain she stifled her tears.
