“I don’t know. I thought I heard the outer door slam.”

“Maybe it was Novak. I can’t believe Neil took his cuffs off. He’s been wearing them for weeks in cryo.”

“Where’s he gonna go?” I asked. “There’s nothing out there except vicious animals looking for a meal.”

“Well, I can’t think of another explanation. That man’s dangerous—a regenerate. He’d probably kill one of those creatures with his bare hands.”

“I doubt that.” I made my way slowly down the long corridor toward the outer door.

“He’s not to be trusted. You need to watch your back,” Susan said. “You know he’s killed people?”

I didn’t tell her I’d done the same thing. “I can take care of myself. Look around you. I’m the only survivor here.”

“Please, just be careful. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

“I don’t think we need to be having this conversation now.” I waved my gun in the direction of the door. “Are you armed?”

“No. I left my weapon—”

“Then get back to your room.” I didn’t wait to see if she did as I said, but a moment later the sound of a door closing indicated she had. I covered the last few meters to the outer door and cautiously pulled it open. The complete darkness outside prevented me seeing anything. Not for the first time, I cursed my poor human vision.

“Kim? What’s going on?” Novak’s voice startled me. He stood behind me, and relief filled me. I glanced over my shoulder where his large form blocked the glow of light emanating from his room. A clean sleeveless T-shirt stretched tight across his chest, and as I let my gaze slide lower, I stared a little too long at the large package crammed into his tight briefs. I jerked my head away, my face warm.

“Someone opened the door. I heard it slam.”

“It’s my guess that’d be Neil. He wanted to go back to the ship to fetch the cells.”

I frowned. “I said it was too dangerous.”

“He doesn’t take advice well. He likes playing the hero.”

“Well, it’s only a matter of time before one of those cats finds the way in here.”

“Close the door, then. If he’s out there, that’s his choice.”

I closed the door. “I’ll have to leave it unlocked. Just in case.”

“I wouldn’t.” Novak grinned. “But that’s me.”

I ignored him and headed back down the corridor. The farther we moved from Novak’s room, the less light filtered through the darkness, but I could see well enough once my eyes adjusted. My spine prickled as Novak followed me, and I remembered he’d be able to see as well as if it were daylight. My face heated again as I imagined what he might be looking at. I should have taken the time to put my pants on.

“Kim?” Susan poked her head around her door and I halted.

“We think Neil might have gone out there.”

“Why the hell would he do that?” Wide-eyed, she glanced above my head at Novak.

“You know he likes to get his own way,” Novak said. “He wanted to go to the ship after we ate.”

“If he’s out there, what chance does he have?” Susan asked.

“Fifty-fifty.” As I answered, the outer door burst open and crashed against the wall. Neil flew through it, flashlight in one hand and gun in the other, and thundered down the corridor. The door remained wide open.