That Feeling You Chase: The Hunter Series, #2

By Aaron Michael Ricossa

Having not only survived Copenhagen but flourishing because of it, Luisa Stein now finds herself a household name. Heading a new transparent Havoc, along with her flourishing knowledge and skill in the feeling, has resulted in a new wave of anti-corruption. For many, she has become a beacon of truth in a time of utter mistrust. Meetings with world leaders and business executives have become the norm, but this trip to the inauguration of Hungary's new President, might prove to be anything but.
Though the city of Budapest may be beautiful, with a rich and powerful history; the rich and powerful, may be exactly the problem. A simple night of handshakes, and smiles, quickly turns into a race for life, freedom, and the answers to questions Luisa didn't even know to ask.
Will the feeling be enough to stop a madman who's hijacked the President's inauguration and kidnapped the entire Hungarian government? Or will Hunter, Lin, and her friends be the key to escaping his clutches and putting and end to what is already set in motion?
Join Luisa as her world is turned upside down once again in this whirlwind epic through the streets of Budapest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aaron Ricossa
• Release date: Jun 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9788797276549

Book preview

Chapter 1

Don’t shoot! You don’t understand.

I don’t understand? I know exactly who you are and what you’re doing here.

The shining lights of a modest city skyline glow through the darkness. The River Danube down the hill, dividing the city in two, reflects the light of the Hungarian Parliament building in the distance. A small dusting of snow catches in the wind and swirls behind me. The cold pierces through my jacket, but still, I do not dare move.

If you do in fact know who I am, then you must know that killing me would be an international incident. News of my death would bring reporters from all over the world here. Not to cover my death, but to uncover my murder and why I was killed. You have to see that, I say, trying to get the man to see reason.

I don’t have to do anything…except stop you from revealing what you saw here.

And you have. My camera, my notes, everything. It’s all in the bag at your feet. Without proof, I have nothing.

That’s not good enough. People will listen to you. They trust you. If you tell them what you caught me about to do. I am worse than dead.

Then why do it? Why risk it? Just for the money?

Money? I did not do this for money. I did not risk my life, my family's life, for money. I did this because I had to. I had no choice. Mészáros made sure of that.

Mészáros? The prime minister?

Oh…you’re clever, but I see what you are doing. I will not say more. This ends now.

The man’s gun, raised to my chest, reflects the warm light of Buda Castle to my left. The stone archway we stand under, between the old royal castle and the current President’s palace, glows orange in the night sky. His hand tightens and I feel it. The goosebumps spread over each arm, down my torso, and over my legs. The feeling calms and clears my mind. I take a breath because I can see he isn’t ready to shoot. Not yet. Then my eye catches the glint of a red light behind him, coming from the roof of Buda Castle.

No! I say too loudly, though at this time of night there are no people at the popular tourist attraction to hear me. Don’t shoot.

The man looks over his shoulder but sees no one. He looks back at me, his head tilted ever so slightly, squinting in question. Does he know? Can he feel it? The dot on his back.

I am sorry, but I must.

Please…just tell me why. Why would Prime Minister Mészáros have forced you to do this?

He is a man plagued like the rest of us. He is—

A gunshot cracks open the night sky, and the man falls to his knees. Not dead. Not through the heart but through his shoulder. It wasn’t Hunter, if he had made the shot, the man would be dead. Another shot echoes as it embeds in the stone narrowly protecting the man’s head. I dive behind the gated stone wall for cover.

Stay down, I yell to the man. Do you have eyes on the shooter?

My earpiece crackles before I hear Hunter, Negative. The shots came from the south. Somewhere in front of the castle perhaps.

Carefully I peak through the gate, looking south toward the expansive Castle now used as a museum. Lit up like this at night, the building has the elegance of a true royal castle fit for a king. Its tower is crumbling and much of it had to be remodeled due to the bombing it received during World War II, but it still has a regalness matched by few. Unfortunately though, there’s nothing I can see in front of the building. Nothing out of the ordinary.

What were you going to tell me? I yell to the man.

He looks at me, true fear in his eyes and confusion at the blood gushing from his shoulder.

What are they willing to kill you for, to keep me from finding out?

The man’s panic seems to grow as he begins crawling toward the gun he dropped. I look back through the gate and see a shadow quickly crossing the stone path in front of the castle. There isn’t much time.

In the shadows, on the path, I say. I’m not going to be able to get him out of here in time.

The corner of the buildings in the way. I’ve got no shot. Not till he’s on you, Hunter says back.

Shit! I’ve got a man trying to kill me and someone trying to kill him, but in this case, the enemy of my enemy is not my friend. Seconds until the man reaches his gun, seconds until the assassin reaches us both, and Hunter, my safety net, can’t help. I take a deep breath and will the feeling to tell me what to do. I breathe deeply but it doesn’t come.

Luisa it’s over. I can’t protect you, Hunter’s voice rings in my ear.

I close my eyes. Breathe again. The feeling will give me a plan. It’ll solve the problem…It still doesn’t come.

Get out of there! Hunter yells.

The assassin reaches the bottom of the stairs, leading to the wall we are standing behind. After he turns the corner, ten more stairs are all that stands between him and us. The man on the ground is nearly to his gun. Will he shoot at me or at the person coming up the stairs?

I breathe again. It’ll come. The feeling will come. One more breath.

The man reaches his gun, just as the assassin’s head peaks over the top step, his gun drawn. Bang! A single shot fires. Not from the assassin, but from the man on the ground. The assassin freezes, the bullet not striking him, but killing the man on the ground instead. He killed himself? My flow of information, gone. I use the assassin’s moment of shock to sprint in the opposite direction, jump over the short stone wall and land directly on top of the Buda Castle Funicular. The small rail car I land on, glides on its tracks down castle hill.

A more powerful shot rings through the air. It’s Hunter’s rifle…with the silencer removed. Surely intended to scare the shooter away. Hunter must have chosen not to kill the man. I might be getting through to him after all, I think to myself, as I slide away into the darkness.

Chapter 2

Concentrate.

I am. It won’t come, I say with my eyes closed and my eyebrows furrowed. The pain in my head is worsening. It feels like a belt is wrapped around my skull and being pulled tighter and tighter.

Relax. Unclench your face, Hunter says through the earpiece.

My eyes shoot open. How did you know—

I’ve been training you for eight months now. I know all too well what you look like when you get frustrated. I almost forget what you look like when you’re not, the last part was spoken under his breath, though I could clearly hear it.

Well that’s just rude…and I still don’t have any goosebumps. The pain in my head, the frustration, the nerves, all starting to get to me.

You’re thinking about last night, aren’t you?

Of course I am. I can’t get it out of my head. I keep replaying it over and over, thinking how I could of handled it differently. How I could have done more. How I could have sav--

You couldn’t have. You can’t blame yourself. You were there to help and you did what you could. Sometimes things don’t work out and you have to move on. It’s part of the job. Part of the life you signed on for.

A long moment passes. Neither of us say a word, but the comfort, the emotion, the understanding, it’s all there. I can feel it, and I know the weight of last night hangs on him too, but I also know he’s right. I have to move on. There’s more to do.

You can do this Luisa. I know you can.

Sitting with my eyes closed, I breathe, I relax, and I picture the warmth of the sun. First, a quick pulse of the feeling shoots through my body, and the belt around my head loosens just a bit. It’s here, but not for good, not yet. Another breath and I see the beach on a warm sunny day. Jason kicks at the water and the splash creates a rainbow in the sky. He smiles and the memory fades. It’s short, it’s sweet, and it’s one of my favorite go to memories. Not just to help bring the feeling, but also to help remember Jason as the man I loved and not the man who caused so much evil with the very company he created to stop it.

I can feel myself smile, not a big grin, no teeth showing, just the ever so small curling of the corners of my lips. My body feels calm, my shoulders fall, and the goosebumps begin to prick all over. I feel it from my fingertips to my toes. The belt has fallen away from my skull and released me from its horrible headache. Thank you Jason, not just for the wonderful memory, but for the company that has given me and the world so much.

A small knock on the door of the limousine lets me know that my time is up. I glance down at my outfit and smile again. It may not be as extravagant as the gown I wore to the Gala at the opera house in Copenhagen earlier this year, but since it has pants, it is much more my style. Tailor-made, it was described to me as an elegant pantsuit fit for royalty. I just wanted something that looked nice but would still give me the respect of a working businesswoman. As I step out of the limo and bulbs flash as pictures are snapped, I laugh to myself at how nervous I was back then and how calm I am now.

Thank you Hunter. I couldn’t do this without you, I say softly as I continue to smile.

He laughs through the earpiece, Sure you could kid. You’re a natural.

Then why couldn’t I get the feeling to come when I needed it last night? I ask through a smile as I make my way down the walkway toward the venue.

Patience. It’ll come. And you did everything you could. Sometimes things just don’t work out perfectly.

I feel a hand gently placed on my back and Tommy or Timmy, whose name is actually Gerald, leans in close.

Perhaps a little less conversation. People aren’t supposed to know you’re wearing an earpiece talking to your fugitive, estranged father, remember?

He’s got a point. No one besides the handful of people who helped stop the energy summit earlier this year, even know Hunter is innocent, let alone the fact that he’s my father and secretly training me. I should probably stop talking to him. It’s just comforting. I’m still new to all this fame.

It’s only been six months since I took Havoc public, revealing its shady past and more importantly revealing those who were using it for less than reputable reasons. Since then the company has blossomed and my face has been plastered on magazines, newspapers, and talk shows. Jason has been honored for trying his best to do the right thing and companies like Muller Corp have been ousted for the world to see.

Luckily though, tonight is not about me, it’s an inauguration ball for the newly elected Hungarian president, Dominik Bakó. Since my rise to fame with Havoc, to the press it has almost been seen as an admission of guilt to not invite me to any head of government’s inauguration. This all started after the new German President didn’t invite me, and people began to speculate why. I go to the ones I can and send a confidant, usually Viraj, when I can’t. Tonight was meant to be nothing but niceties and greetings but after last night, for me, it’s a chance to discreetly meet Prime Minister Mészáros. I’m not sure what I hope to find out, but hey, it’s worth a shot.

The Hungarian Parliament building is extravagant from the outside. Its Gothic Revival architecture is built with 365 towers, 691 rooms, and 242 sculptures, standing as the largest building in Hungary. Built over a hundred years ago and surviving two world wars, this UNESCO site stands as one of Europe’s most visited tourist destinations. Stepping inside, I can see why. The outside of the building is impressive, but inside the detail and money put into each and every lavish decoration is incredible. Now away from the flashing lights and constant picture taking, I can really appreciate the Grand Stairway. With the lights on, the amount of gold used to cover the walls, ceiling, and banisters gives the impression the room is somewhere roughly in the middle of the sun.

When at events in places like this, I can always tell that I don’t belong. I look around at the hundreds of people walking up the Grand Stairway and gathering in the Central Hall, not one of them is staring up at the ceiling, mouths agape like I am. I am always so impressed with venues like this, while the others always seem to be uninterested in anything but making the right introductions and having the right discussions. Personally, I usually am just hoping that while I’m staring at the amazing Holy Crown of Hungary, featured in the middle of the room, no one is watching me, thinking that I am trying to figure out how to steal it. Is that a bizarre thing to think? Just because I’m paying more attention to it, doesn’t mean that I am thinking about stealing it. I mean, I am thinking about stealing it now, but that’s only because I’m thinking that I don’t want other people to be thinking about me thinking about stealing it…I may have an internal dialogue problem.

Twelve O’clock, the voice in my ear shakes me from my thoughts.

After finding out that Prime Minister Mészáros is somehow involved in the current story I’m chasing down, Hunter insisted that he be able to see what goes on inside the venue tonight. A set of incredibly small and nearly undetectable cameras were set up on myself and Gerald, who is acting as my date for the evening, since I never have one. Hunter is somewhere, I assume not far outside the building, watching each feed. The man is a highly complex combination of meticulous attention to detail and last second, almost childish, improvisation. I never seem to know which Hunter I’m going to get at any given time. The stress of not knowing and his determination to teach me to fly by the seed of my pants is unbearable. I swear he purposely puts me in bad situations sometimes just to see if I can concoct some ridiculous way out. The more outrageous my idea, the happier he is. Subtlety is not his idea of good planning.

Rather than turning, I tap Gerald to get his attention and look into his reflective sunglasses. It may seem weird he’s in sunglasses but he’s clearly not the only bodyguard masquerading as a date for the evening and apparently, aviators are universally part of the required uniform.

Very nice. You spot him? Hunter’s voice asks in my ear.

Black suit. Blue tie. Metals on his chest? I say softly.

That’s the one. Get him kiddo.

I flip my hair and turn with a smile as if Gerald has just said something hilarious. Still more than ten feet away, our eyes meet as he moves toward me. His gait is long and purposeful, covering the distance in only a few steps.

Good evening Miss Stein, Mészáros says with only a hint of an accent. The man is little taller than me and stocky, with a thick black mustache and a receding hairline. His suit is tight, and his excellent posture only accentuates the bulging gut below.

Prime Minister Mészáros, nice to finally meet you, I say.

The pleasure is all mine.

I must thank you, as well as the President and Parliament, for inviting me this evening.

It would seem nowadays to be a necessity. Politically speaking that is. Personally, on the other hand, someone of your beauty should always be invited to a party, he says, reaching for my hand and pulling it in for a kiss.

My other hand involuntarily raises to my mouth to hold in a small amount of vomit rising in my throat.

Cool it, Hunter whispers in my ear and I quickly recover by blowing the man sweating in front of me, a kiss.

He smiles and I can see he did not notice my true reaction. I know little about Mészáros, but puking at having my hand kissed by him, would probably put a damper on befriending the man.

Prime Minister, if I could be so bold, could you answer a few questions for me?

You’re not working tonight are you? It would truly be a shame to come all the way to Hungary and not enjoy the sites, he says gesturing to the building around us. At night, Buda Castle, for instance, is to die for.

My stomach leaps into my throat and my heart feels like it’s pounding hard enough to be heard echoing off the walls. Mészáros has not released my hand and his grip has steadily become tighter and tighter. He knows. The assassin from last night works for Mészáros. He recognized me.

Would you like me to add that to your schedule? Gerald says to me, as he places his hand on my back.

On the inside I’m still shaking but Gerald’s size and presence has at least freed my hand from Mészáros’s hold.

Yes, thank you, I say to Gerald. If the Prime Minister suggests I visit, then I visit.

Mészáros smiles. Good evening Miss Stein, he says with a turn and disappears into the crowd.

My large smile immediately drops at his departure. Follow him, I say to Gerald, rubbing my sore hand.

In the earpiece I can hear Hunter try to warn me to be careful, but it’s hard to tell. I can hear another voice in the background arguing with him. It can only be Gerald’s brother, Lukas, worried for his brother’s safety. He argued that I should have been accompanied by two dates this evening.

Tell Lukas his brother will be just fine and if he is really nervous, I’m sure you can find him one of the ridiculous number of entrances into the building, I say softly to Hunter.

Already on it. He’s mic’d up and heading in for a closer look.

The evening continues uneventfully, not boring, as every time I see Mészáros my body tenses, but nonetheless uneventful. The President gives a speech, as well as a few parliament members, but nothing of much interest is said. Gerald keeps his distance but sticks to Mészáros the best he can. It would seem the man is spending the night as you would expect, celebrating the new President and shaking hands with the rich and powerful.

I know very little about the Hungarian government but as far I know, the president is the figurehead of the country, but the true power lies with the prime minister. That is evident tonight as people seem to be more interested in speaking with Prime Minister Mészáros than the man we are gathered to celebrate.

I’m afraid last night’s debacle has not only left me on the outside of these conversations, but has put me in a dangerous position as long as I remain in Hungary. For a moment I let my mind wander back to a time when I was not known around the world. When my presence wasn’t something of discussion. When worrying for my safety was solved with a seatbelt, instead of a team of bodyguards. Only a year ago it was a simpler time, a safer time, but it wasn’t my real life, it wasn’t really me. This is me. This is who I am, who I was born to be, who I want to be. The thought gives me confidence and I move swiftly across the room.

The advantage of my new fame and position with Havoc is a sense of respect and almost fear from those in big business and politics. If someone has something to hide, they know there is always the possibility that I know what it is.

Mészáros is in the middle of a conversation with three men. Each of them older, each of them wealthy and each of them notices me as I approach.

Clear the dead weight, I whisper to Hunter before I reach the group of men.

Each man smiles, nods, and shakes my hand. They appear relaxed but I can see nerves peeking through their falsely friendly greetings. I smile as I’m sure I’ve given Hunter enough time to search the Havoc database and find what I need. Now it’s my turn as Hunter feeds me the first bit of information.

Mr. Kovác, please give my best to your wife, the kids…and Hanna, I say, and the man’s smile falters momentarily, before picking up again.

Hunter continues to give me the breakdown as I move on.

Mr. Dolman, congratulations on selling your business, it was a…real steal.

He smiles and nods but recognition of what I know is clear on his face.

And Mr. Rabey, I say leaning in, Good luck with your upcoming committee vote. I hear you narrowly have the advantage.

The man thanks me, nods to Prime Minister Mészáros, and quickly leaves, followed closely by the other two.

It would seem you know more than you let on, Mészáros says with a crooked smile.

And yet I know far too little about you. Now…about those questions I mentioned earlier?

Follow me, he says, losing the charm he’s carefully used throughout the night.

Turning toward a wall of beautiful gold trimmings, a small push opens a door unknowable to the masses. I step inside, aware that Gerald isn’t with me, but less nervous than perhaps I should be. The room is smaller, yet no less elegant. Mészáros closes the door and turns to me, his smile gone, his posture less perfect, and his eyes piercing.

What are you doing here? His voice is different, a whole octave higher.

I thought I was asking the questions? I say playfully.

Cut the crap. I know you were at Buda Castle last night and I know Emil is dead.

The little accent he had seems undetectable now and it almost feels like I am speaking to a different person. Should I keep up the ruse or just come clean? There’s always a fine line between telling the truth and telling your secrets. It would seem right now that I need to know what’s going on more than I need to keep my cards hidden.

Emil? I didn’t know his name. I only met him last night. I caught him about to—

I know what you caught him doing. What I don’t know is why.

Hunter is noticeably silent in my ear. Does he not know what I should do, or is this another test to see if I can handle myself?

You are well informed of where I was, what I was doing, and who I was with, therefore you must know that Emil mentioned you by name. He said you forced him to do it.

And you are famously well informed on all matters best kept secret in this world, but it would seem you missed something this time.

With those words a crash echoes from the large room next door. Screams and panic cut through the walls.

What have you done? I ask but Mészáros pays no attention to me. He turns to the door we came through as it flies open. Two Hungarian guards burst in as Hunter’s voice rings in my ear.

Back door. Turn and run!

I spin and see Lukas standing at an open door. Gunshots erupt in the hall behind me followed by more screams of terror. With a quick glance back, I see the two guards usher Mészáros out of the room as more guards come pouring in.

Luisa, we’ve got to go! Lukas yells over the frantic sounds of scared guests. I feel his hand grasp mine and pull me away from the turmoil, out of the room, through a hallway, and down a stairwell.

What about Gerald?

I’ve radioed him and told him I’ve got you. He’ll get out.

We make our way through a labyrinth of halls, through offices, and even a kitchen. I can’t process where we are or