Note: This is a fanfiction that is based off of a series of books that I have wrote and have available on Kindle. The name of the male lead character has been changed to follow the storyline. I don't own or have anything to do with the Undertaker, the WWE or its partners

Currently, A Cowboy's Heart is available on Kindle exclusively

Chapter Forty-Six

Emily's heart filled to the brim with happiness from hearing Mark's confession towards her former boyfriend about his stance and feelings towards her. Being able to know how strongly his emotions were for her and that he wasn't afraid to admit them to her new love made her decision to finish her summer out there in Oleander with Mark to be clear and the right choice.

Thank you, Mark…You have no idea how much I appreciate hearing that…and how strong my own feelings are burning for you right now.

There wasn't a single doubt about it. Mark was the one she had been waiting for all these years, and that he was the one that would always be there at her side regardless of what life had to throw at them.

While her soul was on cloud nine from how happy and ecstatic she was, her eyes moved from where Mark's body was starting to sit up on the ground, slowly, over to where her ex stood with his back facing her.

"I am going to take care of this issue…right now."

The dark and twisted tone in Johnathon's tone caused her prior concern and fear for Belle's ranch hand and the new man in her life to return with a vengeance, leaving no part of her untouched.

Keeping her attention on him, Emily noticed one of Johnathon's hands moving underneath the back of his jacket to the suit that he still had on despite their previous fight before that one. They widened in fear at witnessing his hand bringing into sight a switchblade knife before flicking the sharp knife part of it out into the open while she caught the next words to come out of his mouth.

"If there is a problem…or someone standing in my way to having a life with Emily at my side once again…I only have to remove it…by any means necessary."

She realized in that very second how serious things had become and where this would lead to if Johnathon had his way and she didn't do something to keep him from going through with it.

Don't do it, Emily! Mark can protect himself from what your ex has to throw at him. You won't be able to hold him back-

Choosing to ignore what her conscience was wanting and going with what she wanted to do instead, Emily left the safety of the car, and raced into the dangerous scene before her.

I am not going to let this little worm threaten me, and make me look like I can't take care of business.

Determined to stand up in the face of someone that was wanting to replace his spot in Emily's life, Mark made his way to his feet and moved towards his direction.

"Mark, look out!"

The sound of his lady screaming out to him in desperation caught his attention, and brought his gaze to see her darting in front of him.

What in the hell is she doing, Mark?! His conscience screamed out at him in confusion and uncertainty at seeing her coming towards his direction. Tell her to get back to the car before she does something stupid!

Even though he was not one to tell a woman what to do, Mark agreed with what his conscience was shouting to him from the confines of his mind. He didn't want Emily to get hurt at all during the confrontation with Johnathon, and knew that the only way for that to happen would be for her to go back to where she had been.

He found his words failing to come out from catching a look of pain sweeping across her face once she had moved to standing directly in front of him with her back facing Johnathon's direction. The sight of her cringing with a soft cry slipping out of her mouth in a gasp echoing to his ears, brought an expression of heartache across the once look of determination that he had in place on his face. Mark soon found his spirit ravaged by sorrow from his southern angel's sweet voice speaking out to him in a pain filled voice.

"Mark," Emily whispered, "I…I am sorry. I couldn't let you get hurt-"

Just moments into her speaking, Mark started to notice her body losing its footing and starting to fall. His hands caught her frame and held it against him. While he cradled her for a few lingering moments, his gazed upon the source of her pain.

In the middle of her back on her black tracksuit's jacket, a small patch of fresh blood was clearly soaking through the material.

That…That son of a bitch…He…He stabbed my woman!

An intense amount of absolute rage burned within him the moment his piercing stare discovered the reason for her losing her balance and strength in her legs. His eyes looked towards her ex-boyfriend with a look to match his inner emotions of hatred as he stood in a spot with a bloody knife in his hand and an expression of fear morphing across his face.

Never taking his eyes off of him, Mark placed Emily's body to lie on her back against the ground in a way that she would be most comfortable and the blood could soak up in the ground and keep it from pouring out of her any quicker. He straightened his tall frame, and let his deep voice come roaring out to him, letting his intentions for him be crystal clear.

"You have just dug your own grave."