Ray stared down at the path he followed through the snow. Kill. Gia.

His vision blurred as his mind struggled to concentrate on what he saw. It had been happening more and more since the cave, since the last time he was warm. Now, he shivered uncontrollably. Maybe he’d never be warm again.

His feet had gone numb somewhere in the walk to the cabin, and they hadn’t regained sensation, even as his right leg felt like fire ants crawled up it. He should have checked that cut last night, but he’d been too exhausted. And since he’d barely slept, his mind was even worse now. All Ray could do was hope the numbness and fire combination wasn’t a bad sign. They hadn’t killed him yet. He’d get somewhere warm and he’d be fine.

Last night he’d caught a few hours’ sleep in a ditch under a fallen tree. He’d managed to scoop out most of the snow before settling in, and the walls of the trench had kept out some of the wind. But it was still the worst few hours he’d ever experienced in his life.

What he wouldn’t do for a fire. A house, with a proper roof and electric heating. Fuck, he’d be satisfied with one of Aaron’s caves right about now. Too bad he’d killed the man.

He had to press on. He couldn’t give up. Gia was somewhere ahead of him and he needed to find her.

Kill. Gia.

His brain had distilled into that one simple thought. It was all that kept him going. As he trekked through the snow, following the path she and her mountain man had carved, he kept repeating those two words to himself.

Kill. Gia.

Had she fucked the mountain man? Is that how she’d convinced him to help her? Slut. She was his wife. She belonged to him. Not some lumbering backwoods hick living in a rundown cabin. The size of the man had given Ray pause when he’d seen him by the light of the burning cabin. He was huge and hulking. Gia must have been desperate to let that between her thighs.

Though Ray wondered if his eyes had been accurate last night. They were playing tricks on him, showing him hints and mirages of things that weren’t there. Was he sick? Did he have a fever?

Kill. Gia.

It was all that mattered. Anything else—like emergency medical treatment—could happen after he’d shot his wife in the head. No, stabbed her. Slit her throat. Yeah, that would be the most satisfying. Then he could watch her life’s blood drain out of her.

Those assholes had moved fast last night. But he must be close. He’d only taken a few hours rest.

Maybe.

He frowned, considering. He was losing track of time. Tracks. Right, the tracks would have been gone if he was more than a few hours behind them. Only a few hours.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

So cold.

But he had to keep going. Had to find them. Had to make them pay.

Kill. Gia.

He stumbled across a larger path of tracks. It took him a long minute to realize it was because his prey had traversed the area multiple times. The remains of a fire had been smothered by snow that had since melted. Rabbit bones smoldered in the ashes.

When was the last time he’d eaten?

No matter. He’d eat when Gia was dead.

Beyond the fire, out in the snowfield and away from the trees, was a dome of snow. Ray staggered towards it, falling to his knees outside the low entrance. He twisted and peered inside.

Empty.

They must have slept there last night. The bed of pine needles in the warmth of the dome would have been much warmer, more comfortable, than his ditch.

Ray glared impotently at the place. This was luxury compared to what he’d had. After everything he’d done for Gia and she’d left him to sleep in a ditch, spreading her legs for that giant of a man.

Had she fucked him right here in the night?

Ray slammed his fist into the snow. He wished he could kill her twice. But he’d enjoy tearing her lover apart, too, for taking what belonged to him.

Ray heaved himself to his feet. His limbs were as sluggish as his mind. He wasn’t sure how worried he should be about that. Maybe he should have researched more before hiking up a mountain in winter. Or maybe he shouldn’t have killed his guide.

No, wait. Aaron had wanted him dead. He wouldn’t have been any help.

Fuck.

He slammed his leg into the wall of snow. It was more solid than he’d expected, taking more force to finally crack like ice. But Ray held on to his determination, kicking, and stomping, and tearing, and clawing until the structure was nothing but another pile of snow.

He stood there, panting, swaying. He shouldn’t have lost control, shouldn’t have used his energy on such a pointless display of frustration.

No matter. He’d rest up once Gia and her lover were dead.

Kill. Gia.