Nikolai

Black Inc. #2

by Lisa Marie Rice

Buried secrets. Explosive passion. One unforgettable escape.

Security consultant Nick Garin is called to the US Consulate in Naples, Italy, to investigate an intel leak. When he runs into the stunning and brilliant historian Parker Donovan, he can't take his eyes off her. Nick insists on tagging along to Parker's archeological excavation, but an earthquake buries them underground.

Crawling in the dark through ancient passages, they discover an ancient deadly secret.

But someone close has betrayed them. Parker and Nick are the only ones standing between weapons of mass destruction and the Mafia—and now they must fight like hell, for their lives, and their love...

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Lisa Marie Rice is eternally 30 years old and will never age. She is tall and willowy and beautiful. Men drop at her feet like ripe pears. She has won every major book prize in the world. She is a black belt with advanced degrees in archaeology, nuclear physics, and Tibetan literature. She is a concert pianist. Did I mention her Nobel Prize? Of course, Lisa Marie Rice is a virtual woman and exists only at the keyboard when writing erotic romance. She disappears when the monitor winks off.

Reviews

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Black Inc. series by Lisa Marie Rice.
This author is a comfort read for me. I don't get many surprises but I still love her stuff.

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts as a simple assignment turns into a heart-racing fight for survival buried beneath ancient ruins, where danger, secrets, and undeniable chemistry collide.

Set against the haunting beauty of Italy, Nick and Parker are thrown into a deadly, high-stakes situation where danger and romance collide, and every moment deepens their slow-burning, trust-filled connection.

🖤 “He looked like a blond Superman.”
— and honestly… I’d risk it all just to be saved by him, too!

I always enjoy Lisa Marie Rice’s signature style, intense, thrilling, and balanced, where danger and romance collide, and how she mixes the villain’s perspective into the story.

Nick's quiet, powerful protectiveness, paired with Parker's intelligence and resilience, makes their chemistry absolutely addictive as the tension climbs underground. Every woman deserves a man who never gets bored of her passions... he’s captivated by them.

🖤 “I guess right now we’re both touched by magic.”

Action-packed, suspenseful, and seriously swoon-worthy… this one is a gripping escape where love sparks in the darkest places.

💫 Nikolai (Black Inc., 2) by Lisa Marie Rice (@lisamariericeauthor)
Romantic Suspense | Forced Proximity | Military (Private Security) | 215 pp | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

💫 Favorite Quote:
"I still need a few minutes."
'A few minutes? He’d wait months, years for her. A few minutes was nothing.'

[Star-Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes! When Nikolai “Nick” Garin of Black Inc. and Go Solutions meets Dr. Parker Donovan the two begin the most romantic yet also the most disastrous and dangerous twenty-four hour meet-cute ever! This is definitely a page-turner as the two get to know each other at a Consulate luncheon, through the aftershocks of a small earthquake, over a very romantic dinner which leads to a very intimate invite and the action is just getting started. The book contains a leak of confidential information threat to the Consulate and some very interesting ancient historical facts supplied by Parker to further the intrigue of the book. Unfortunately, I did think the book repeated things a few times. Maybe this was intentional for effect or to make sure the recipient got the message but I found it distracting. But the romance between Nick and Parker was beautifully done and the two were wonderful characters. This one clicked the boxes of romance, suspenseful danger and historical facts for me perfectly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic Suspense That Keeps You Turning the Pages
When security consultant Nick Garin arrives in Naples to investigate a breach at the American Consulate, he’s ready for danger—but not for Harper. From the moment he meets the brilliant historian, sparks fly, and soon he’s swept up in her archaeological adventure. Then disaster strikes. An earthquake traps them deep underground, where they uncover something far more dangerous than relics of the past. With betrayal closing in and the Mafia hot on their trail, survival becomes a deadly test of courage and trust.
Fast-paced, sensual, and full of heart-pounding twists, this story keeps you reading long past bedtime. If you love danger, passion, and heart-stopping suspense, this one delivers.

[Laura R · Rating 4 out of 5]

What started as another security assignment quickly turned into so much more for Nick once he set eyes on Parker. Over dinner, they discussed her work and it became apparent to Nick that her worksite was not secure or safe. Since he had the weekend free, he offered to go with her - and it was good that he did as another earthquake hit while there. Then they were in a race to find a way out. And things became more dire when they found a deadly secret.

There was plenty of romance between Nick and Parker, and lots of danger and suspense after they were trapped by the earthquake. But in the end they found their HEA.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikolai
By Lisa Marie Rice
Book two in Black Inc

Security expert Nikolai Garin has traveled to Italy to assist the Consulate with a potential security leak. He's spent the last several assignments in war torn areas and he's looking forward to the beauty that Naples has to offer. That beauty was going to be the scenery until he spots Parker Donovan across the room. He knows immediately she's different. Their conversation flows and soon he's agreeing to help her with his work. And that will change both their lives forever.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikolai (Black Inc. Book 2) is classic signature style by Lisa Marie Rice. A strong protector and a woman ends up underground after an earthquake. Someone wants to make sure that they do not get out alive. Action-packed story with bad guys who need stopping, lives needing to be saved and people willing to do what is necessary to survive and make sure the world knows the truth. It is also a romance that is built on forced proximity between two people that are attracted to each other early on. Nick and Parker have a tough job ahead of them but if anyone can do it, they can. Explosive story.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one charmed me from the start. I liked how Nick and Parker met, how they clicked right away and how Nick wasn't hesitate at all to let Parker know how much her book and show affected him. It was great to see both of them go with the attraction and let things happen. Even doing mundane things they enjoyed each other's company, like when they were at the dig. Of course there things went to hell fast! It took quick thinking on both of their parts to make sure they came out of it in one piece and not just one, but multiple times. The ending was perfect for them!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

I LOVED this story!

All the good things I enjoy from this author’s words were here. Chemistry, attraction, danger, action and love percolated in an exotic location and on a global scale. A quiet, James Bond-esque hero and an equally quiet, smart heroine gelled perfectly as they faced enemies both natural and man-made. Set in beautiful Italy, under the mysterious ruins of a bygone age, the present blew up the past and set the stage for a new future for both of them.

So good I need to read it again. Right now lol!

*I happily reviewed this story

[Ann L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story with wonderful characters liked how the story progressed, it was raw and beautiful at the same time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Black Inc. series. It’s an action packed, forced proximity romance. Lots of danger, drama, suspense and spice. I really enjoyed watching Nicolas and Parker’s entertaining story unfold. Awesome!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story with lots of action! There's drama, spice, suspense, danger and more built into this engaging plot. The characters are realistic and blend well together from beginning to end. Well worth reading.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is beautiful, yes, but there is more to her than that, and his instant attraction to her is unexpected. He is big, dangerous, attractive, and she is as drawn to him as he is to her. She brings beauty and fascination to his world, and he brings security and steadfastness.

[andrea holliway · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed every page

Lisa Marie Rice is an auto buy for me and this book as usual was great!
I hope Dylan gets his own book next!