Breached Security: The Security Trilogy Vol II

by Violet Sage

She thought she understood the game.
Now the rules are changing, and someone is rewriting them in real time.
As buried programs surface and quiet surveillance turns aggressive, Dawn Carter finds herself caught between the truth she's desperately searching for and the man who keeps holding it back.
He's still the last person she should want—and the only person who knows how to keep her wanting more.
But in a world built to erase people without a trace, the wrong question can cost more than trust.
It can cost you your life.

Dive deeper into the world of Dawn and Nikolai in this second installment of the Security Trilogy.

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2025

About the author

Violet Sage is a full-time author with a deep love for compelling characters, emotional tension, and immersive storytelling. With a background in narrative-driven writing, she creates layered stories that explore power, loyalty, and the human condition through dark romantic suspense.

When she’s not writing, Violet is usually curled up with coffee in hand and a cat nearby, finding inspiration in quiet mornings, video games, and outdoor life.

She currently lives with her partner and their animals, building a career one book at a time.

Follow her on tiktok @VioletSageBooks to keep up with updates on new releases!

Reviews

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thing I want to say is that I love this series - the first book I accidentally crushed in one sitting and didn't even realize the time. I opened it, and it felt like I blinked and I was at the end.

This book was very similar for me. I had to take more breaks as I was actively busy with work, but it was so hard to put it down and walk away. I loved that we got to see more character development for some of the side characters, and more perspectives. I also really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue. The romance is good, but honestly the plot itself is better. The sex scenes are just as steamy as the first book. The characters are compelling and frustratingly human. So much so I felt myself wanting to reach in and throttle Nikolai and Dawn at various moments, and at other times just wanting to hug them. Cassidy and E really get a chance to shine this time around, and I adore them also. E is the best fairy godmother, and Cassidy truly shows the beauty and power of being a damn good friend.

Spoilers below to discuss some more specific aspects of the story. Read at your own risk.

Nikolai's past traumas keep getting uncovered more in this book, and we start to explore them. Going at his pace is frustratingly realistic. Almost to the point of making the sex scenes feel annoying. I know the characters connect on that level more deeply than I personally do, but it often feels like he replaces his ability to communicate with sex. While that makes for a hot set of scenes, it really builds that tension and frustration with him and partially with Dawn SO well. They keep letting their hormones and emotions get the better of them, and stop themselves from actually seeing each other as they truly are. To the point where by the end of the book they are just as far apart, if not more so, than the start! This is such a good slow burn in some ways. A slow burn protagonist in a sordid sexy novel is pretty rare, honestly, and its pulled off so well here.

One thing I didn't totally appreciate about this book was the ending. I think the cliff hanger was fine, but I almost wish we didn't hear any of Dawn's thoughts about it. It would've been better, in my opinion, to end similarly to the first book, where all we saw was the horrible event, rather than actually getting more thoughts in that moment. It felt more unnatural and stilted because we got half of a picture right in the last chapter. The revelation of Nikolai's signature on the order was the perfect place to stop. I think there either needed to be less in that chapter, or one more, to wrap up the plot and characters sufficiently before the next book. However, that could just be my impatience talking too!

Thank you author for another wonderful novel. I can't wait for the trilogy to wrap up!

[Chelsey Homa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breached Security picks up right where the first book left off, but it hits a lot harder emotionally. Dawn is grieving the loss of her brother, and you can feel how heavy everything is for her. The story pulls you deeper into the world of Blackthorn, and things get more intense not just with the mystery, but with her and Nikolai too.

Their connection is still magnetic, but it’s also messier this time. There’s tension, resentment, guilt, all tangled up with the attraction. It made their scenes together feel more raw and real. You can tell they still care about each other, even when it hurts.

Some parts of the book are slower, especially when it gets into the tech stuff and investigations, but I didn’t mind too much. It gave me time to sit in the emotions and really understand what was at stake.

One of my favorite things continues to be Dawn and Cassidy’s friendship. It’s so solid and honest. I love how they show up for each other through all the chaos. Cassidy really gets a chance to shine in this one.

If you liked Restricted Security, this one dives deeper emotionally and plot-wise. It’s darker, heavier, but still has those steamy, intense moments that pull you right back in.

[Hope Bolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟
VIOLETTTTTT!!!
These cliffhangers!
Picks up right where book 1 leaves off.
If you haven't read them, YOU SHOULD!!

Suspense
Dark
Romance
Spicy

Ma'am. Whaaaat!!!
This book kept my interest the whole time!!
Cassidy is a friend everyone needs to have in their corner.
Oh, and that romantic trip towards the end. 😍

Now I am wondering if Nik knew the whole time!! He has kept so much from her. What is he not telling us?!
I swear, if something happens to Cassidy!! 😡
Dawn and Nik, though! Emotions all over the place!!

Can't wait for book 3!!!

[Ashton Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. It picks up right where the first one ends and the characters throughout this story keep you on your toes. Think DR suspense but also perfect for people who are looking to get into the DR world without diving head first. The authors writing style is honestly amazing. You’ll be constantly wondering what’s going to happen next and you never truly know. And the ending has me frothing at the mouth for the next book.

[Rebecca Ansley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was literally on my seat the entire time I was reading this book. I love how we got into a more deeper glimpse on the main characters and their romance. I enjoyed that she guided us as the readers through more of the security and journalism aspects for the mystery as well. She made me fall more in love with the main characters than I already was from the first book. My jaw dropped at the last chapters, and I can't wait to see what Violet comes up next for the last book in this series!

[Colleen Furman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Restricted Security and it ended on a cliff hanger. I wanted to know what happened with the characters so I read Breached Security. This one also ended with many questions about what happens with the main characters. I like closure when I finish a book.

[Diana Jasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book. The story continues, revealing secrets and creating more conflicts. It keeps you in suspense, trying to figure out the next step. I expected part of the ending in the middle, but I didn't expect that plot twist. I'm so excited for the next book!

[Sarah Gorringe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a follow up! hotter, pacier, spicier than the first.
picking up where it left off, I couldn't wait to devour it like Nikolai devours... ahem.
and now I need the final part, pretty please.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting indeed… I kinda saw the ‘twist’ coming tbh, but not the whole twist I was shocked!! Also getting a Cassidy pov - GAGGGEDDDD!!!!! I love her

[Victoria Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED THE THIRD BOOK IMMEDIATELY. Like what even??? Her brother?? Her boss??? WHAT???