Branded in the Dark

Cross's story begins with a chilling rite of passage: at thirteen, his father, a corrupt priest and billionaire, brands him with a burning cross in the family's church. This act is both a literal and symbolic initiation into the legacy of the Three Wisemen—a trio of powerful men who rule Las Vegas through their casino, Kingdom, and a web of criminal enterprises. Cross's father preaches redemption but traffics in sin, teaching his son that pain is the price of power. The trauma of this night, and the cold complicity of his mother, forges Cross's identity and sets him on a path where violence, secrecy, and dominance are the currency of survival.

Kings of Sin City

Thirteen years later, Cross and his childhood friends—Titan, Bones, and Grave—have become the Dark Kings, ruling Las Vegas with ruthless efficiency. Each has earned his place through violence and cunning, surpassing even their fathers' legacies. Their world is one of brutal justice, secret deals, and a code of silence. The Kings handle the city's dirtiest work, from disposing of bodies to enforcing their own brand of order. Their power is absolute, but it comes at the cost of their humanity, and each man is haunted by the sins of his past and the expectations of his bloodline.

The Forbidden Night

Alexa, a fiercely independent bar owner, is dragged by her friend Jasmine to the notorious Airport, a den of vice run by the Mason brothers. There, she crosses paths with Cross, whose dangerous allure is matched only by his reputation. Their chemistry is instant and electric, but complicated by tangled loyalties—Alexa is best friends with April, who is pregnant by Grave, one of the Kings. Despite warnings and promises to stay away, Cross and Alexa are drawn together, their connection fueled by mutual attraction and the thrill of the forbidden.

Secrets and Sins

Cross and Alexa's relationship quickly escalates from a one-night stand to a secret, addictive affair. Both are haunted by past betrayals—Alexa by her manipulative ex, Mitch, and Cross by the scars of his upbringing. Their passion is raw and consuming, but secrecy is essential: Grave has forbidden Cross from touching Alexa, fearing it will destroy his relationship with April. The couple's clandestine meetings are fraught with risk, and the boundaries between pleasure and pain, love and control, begin to blur.

Blood and Brotherhood

The Kings' world is one of constant threat. They interrogate, torture, and kill to protect their interests, burying secrets in the desert. When a shipment of black diamonds goes missing, the Kings are drawn into a deadly game with the Mason brothers and the cartel. Meanwhile, Grave's struggles with addiction and loss threaten to unravel the fragile unity of the group. The Kings' code—loyalty above all—demands sacrifice, and each man is forced to confront the darkness within himself and those he loves.

The Queen's Cross

Jasmine and Alexa, seeking independence and purpose, partner with Bones to open Kink, an elite BDSM club. Their ambition challenges the male-dominated status quo, and they face sexism and skepticism from the club's gatekeepers. Alexa's decision to remodel her bar and join Kink is both a business move and a declaration of self-worth. The women's friendship and resilience become a counterpoint to the Kings' violence, proving that power can be claimed in many forms.

Fire and Betrayal

Alexa's ex, Mitch, becomes increasingly obsessed and dangerous, while Cross's past with Rachel, a former lover and employee, stirs jealousy and suspicion. Betrayals multiply: Rachel and Mitch conspire to destroy Alexa, framing Cross for arson by burning down her bar. The fire is both literal and symbolic, echoing the trauma of Cross's childhood and threatening to consume everything Alexa has built. The Kings' enemies close in, and trust becomes a rare and precious commodity.

The Price of Loyalty

Grave and April's relationship is tested by tragedy when April loses their baby. Grief and guilt drive Grave to the brink of relapse, and April's fear of his addiction leads her to hide her own pain. The Kings struggle to support their friend while managing their own secrets and betrayals. Alexa's brother, Derek, is drawn into the chaos, accused of arson and forced to confront his own loyalties. The cost of brotherhood is steep, and not everyone will survive unscathed.

Love in the Shadows

Cross and Alexa's relationship evolves from lust to love, but their happiness is always under threat—from jealous exes, family secrets, and the violence that defines their world. Cross's need for control and Alexa's fierce independence clash, but their vulnerability with each other becomes a source of strength. Together, they begin to imagine a future beyond the darkness, even as the past refuses to let go.

The Devil's Bargain

To recover the missing diamonds and secure their power, the Kings strike a dangerous bargain with the Mason brothers, agreeing to share the spoils and eliminate a mutual enemy, Kale. The alliance is uneasy, built on necessity rather than trust. The Kings' willingness to do whatever it takes—to kill, to betray, to burn—sets them apart, but also isolates them from the world outside their circle.

Truths Unveiled

Secrets come to light: Cross confesses his love to Alexa, revealing the full extent of his trauma and the truth about his father's death. Alexa, in turn, admits her own fears and insecurities, choosing to stand by Cross despite the darkness in his past. Grave and April confront their grief and begin to heal, while Derek redeems himself by helping the Kings bring down Mitch and Rachel. The lines between sinner and savior, victim and perpetrator, blur as each character faces the consequences of their choices.

The Burning Past

Cross's nightmares and scars are finally confronted. He reveals to Alexa the truth: he killed his father by burning down the church, ending years of abuse and claiming his own power. Alexa's empathy and acceptance become his salvation, proving that love can survive even the most hellish origins. Together, they forge a new identity, no longer defined by the sins of their fathers.

Vengeance and Redemption

The Kings exact brutal justice on Mitch and Rachel, ensuring that those who threatened Alexa pay with their lives. The violence is both cathartic and damning, a reminder that in their world, mercy is a luxury they cannot afford. With their enemies vanquished and debts settled, the Kings reclaim their throne, but not without cost.

The King's Confession

Cross and Alexa's relationship is tested and ultimately strengthened by honesty. Cross confesses his darkest secrets, and Alexa responds not with fear, but with love and understanding. Their bond is sealed with matching tattoos—a burning cross—symbolizing shared pain and mutual salvation. For the first time, Cross allows himself to believe in a future shaped by love rather than violence.

Scars and Salvation

The Kings and their partners begin to heal, forging new traditions and redefining family. Grave and April plan their wedding, Jasmine and Alexa thrive as business partners, and even Derek finds a place among the Kings. The scars of the past remain, but they are no longer a source of shame. Instead, they are a testament to survival and the possibility of redemption.

The Final Reckoning

With the threats eliminated and the truth revealed, the Kings consolidate their power and look to the future. Alexa's bar is rebuilt, Kink flourishes, and the Kings' empire is stronger than ever. The cycle of violence is not broken, but it is tempered by love, loyalty, and the hard-won wisdom of experience.

Forged in Fire

Cross and Alexa, united by trauma and passion, choose each other again and again. Their love is not a fairy tale, but a hard, gritty reality forged in fire and pain. Together, they prove that even in a world ruled by sin, love can be a force of transformation.

A Kingdom Reborn

The story ends with hope: the Kings, once defined by the sins of their fathers, have forged their own legacy. Surrounded by chosen family, they embrace the possibility of happiness, even as they remain vigilant against the darkness that lurks at the edges of their world. The kingdom endures, but it is forever changed by the love and loyalty of those who dared to challenge fate.

Characters

Cross (Hoyte James)

Cross is the deeply traumatized son of a corrupt priest, branded—literally and figuratively—by his father's abuse. Raised to inherit a criminal empire, he is both a product and a rebel against his upbringing. Cross is defined by his need for control, his capacity for violence, and his struggle to reconcile love with pain. His relationship with Alexa is transformative, allowing him to confront his past and imagine a future beyond brutality. Cross's journey is one of self-forgiveness, as he learns that vulnerability is not weakness, and that love can be both a weapon and a balm.

Alexa Milner

Alexa is a self-made woman, determined to succeed on her own terms despite a history of betrayal and loss. Her independence masks deep wounds, particularly from her manipulative ex, Mitch, and her complicated relationship with her brother, Derek. Alexa's courage and resilience are tested by her involvement with Cross and the Kings, but she refuses to be a victim. Her partnership with Jasmine and her willingness to confront danger head-on make her a force to be reckoned with. Alexa's love for Cross is both a risk and a reward, offering her the connection she has always craved.

Grave (Kyle Reed)

Grave is Cross's best friend and fellow King, marked by addiction, loss, and a desperate need for belonging. His relationship with April is both his salvation and his greatest vulnerability. Grave's struggle with sobriety and grief is a central thread, highlighting the cost of violence and the difficulty of healing. His loyalty to the Kings is unwavering, but his journey is one of learning to accept help and to forgive himself.

April

April is Alexa's best friend and Grave's partner, whose pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage are pivotal events. She is nurturing, creative, and fiercely loyal, but also burdened by the need to protect those she loves. April's grief and her efforts to support Grave underscore the novel's themes of loss, resilience, and the complexity of love.

Jasmine

Jasmine is Alexa's confidante and business partner, known for her sharp tongue and unapologetic ambition. Her drive to open Kink and challenge the male-dominated world of the Kings is both inspiring and dangerous. Jasmine's humor and loyalty provide levity and strength, and her willingness to risk everything for her friends makes her indispensable.

Bones (Dillan Reed)

Bones is the most calculating and enigmatic of the Kings, a master of secrets and silent power. He is both feared and respected, and his partnership with Jasmine and Alexa in Kink reveals a more nuanced side. Bones's loyalty to his brother Grave and his willingness to bend the rules for those he cares about hint at a hidden vulnerability beneath his icy exterior.

Titan

Titan is the de facto leader of the Kings, known for his discipline, strength, and sense of responsibility. He is married to Emilee and is the most stable of the group, often serving as the voice of reason. Titan's commitment to the Kings and his family is unwavering, and his ability to balance ruthlessness with compassion sets him apart.

Derek Milner

Derek is Alexa's brother, initially antagonistic toward the Kings and suspicious of their influence. His journey from outsider to reluctant ally is marked by guilt, redemption, and a desire to protect his sister. Derek's involvement in the central conflict forces him to confront his own prejudices and to choose loyalty over pride.

Mitch

Mitch is Alexa's manipulative and dangerous ex-boyfriend, whose obsession with her drives much of the novel's conflict. His alliance with Rachel and his willingness to destroy Alexa to get what he wants make him a formidable antagonist. Mitch's actions force the Kings to confront the limits of their power and the consequences of their violence.

Rachel

Rachel is Cross's former lover and employee, whose jealousy and insecurity make her susceptible to Mitch's schemes. Her betrayal is both personal and professional, and her ultimate fate is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the cost of playing with fire.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The novel employs alternating first-person perspectives, primarily between Cross and Alexa, to provide intimate access to their thoughts, fears, and desires. This structure allows readers to experience the tension between public personas and private vulnerabilities, deepening empathy and highlighting the psychological complexity of both protagonists.

Symbolism of Fire and the Cross

Fire and the cross are recurring symbols, representing both trauma and rebirth. The burning cross is a mark of suffering and inheritance, but also of resistance and self-definition. Fire is both destructive and purifying, echoing the characters' journeys through pain to healing. The motif culminates in the literal and metaphorical burning of the past, as Cross and Alexa forge a new identity together.

Secrets, Betrayal, and Confession

The narrative is propelled by secrets—family histories, forbidden relationships, criminal enterprises—that threaten to destroy the characters if revealed. Betrayals, both real and perceived, test the bonds of loyalty and love. The act of confession, whether forced or voluntary, becomes a means of liberation and connection, allowing characters to move beyond shame and isolation.

Violence as Currency

Violence is both a tool and a language in the Kings' world. Torture, murder, and intimidation are used to enforce order and settle scores. The novel does not shy away from the psychological toll of such brutality, exploring the ways in which violence both protects and corrodes the soul.

Female Empowerment and Subversion

Through the creation of Kink and the deepening of female friendships, the novel challenges the male-dominated power structures of Las Vegas. Alexa and Jasmine's refusal to be sidelined or victimized is a central theme, offering a counter-narrative to the Kings' violence and proving that strength comes in many forms.

Redemption and Forgiveness

The possibility of redemption—through love, confession, and mutual support—is a thread that runs throughout the novel. Characters are forced to confront their pasts, forgive themselves and others, and choose vulnerability over vengeance. The journey is neither easy nor complete, but it offers hope in a world defined by darkness.

Analysis

Cross by Shantel Tessier is a dark, gritty romance that explores the intersection of trauma, power, and love in a world ruled by violence and secrecy. At its core, the novel is about the scars we inherit and the ones we choose, and the ways in which pain can both destroy and transform. Through the lens of the Kings and their partners, Tessier examines the cost of loyalty, the allure of control, and the redemptive power of vulnerability. The story challenges traditional gender roles, giving its female characters agency and ambition in a world that seeks to silence them. Ultimately, Cross is a meditation on the possibility of healing: that even those forged in fire can find salvation, not by erasing the past, but by embracing it—and each other. The lesson is clear: love is not the absence of darkness, but the courage to face it together.

Last updated: May 21, 2025