Nick Tortano, a smooth-talking and ambitious young man from Boston, yearns to climb the ranks in the city's Italian mafia. Frustrated by the life of a low-level hustler, Nick decides to prove his worthiness to a local boss, Sal Vitaglia. His single-minded determination pays off when he finally gains acceptance and begins working more closely with Sal, aiming to cement his place and power within the syndicate. Nick's ascent is driven by his loyalty to Sal and his burning desire to escape his modest upbringing, pulling in his best friend, George Mullins, along the way.

As Nick dives deeper into the criminal underworld, he faces increasing moral dilemmas and the toll it takes on his personal relationships. His involvement with Ali Matazano, a strong-willed woman entangled in his life, becomes both a solace and a complication. The further Nick goes, the more he grapples with the harsh realities of the mafia life, where loyalty is tested constantly, and betrayal lurks at every corner. Each step forward tempts him with power but threatens to ensnare him in an inescapable cycle of violence and mistrust. Tension escalates as Nick's choices draw him closer to a critical juncture, shaping the trajectory of his fate in a world where survival often trumps morality.