One embracing violent criminal in secret (6-6)
I believe the answer is:
hugger-mugger
'in secret' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'one embracing violent criminal' is the wordplay.
'one embracing' becomes 'hugger' (someone who hugs).
'violent criminal' becomes 'mugger' (a mugger robs someone in the street).
'hugger'+'mugger'='HUGGER-MUGGER'
(Other definitions for hugger-mugger that I've seen before include "In utter disorder - in secret" , "(In) confusion" , "In secret - disorderly ..." .)