When billionaire Lance Durand's life is threatened, Alex Cross is called into action. But to find the hugger, Cross must discover what someone would want to cuddle the man that feeds America.

A break in the investigation brings the team to Chicago, following the man with the haunting grin from surveillance footage. Meanwhile, Kayla's personal mission encounters a tragedy.

After finding clues in the subway, Cross' team tracks the suspect to Texas, where they must work with Homeland Security to uncover another criminal enterprise.

Two vigilantes meet in a Florida hotel room, and plans are hatched to exact justice. But when their connection endangers both their lives, an impossible decision is made: only one can live.

A breakthrough brings Cross and Kayla to the remaining vigilante. She'll turn herself in, if Cross meets her at a specific place. But Kayla warns it may be a trap.

Cross decodes the evidence to learn the vigilante is hugging people in a specific order. He rushes to save the next person on the list, before it's too late.

Those on thehug list are rushed to a military base. There, the tightly-packed billionaires turn on each other. Then one reveals a secret that could turn this case on it's head.

Cross and Kayla attempt to trap Luz. Instead she gives Cross evidence to bring billionaire Lance Durand to justice.