Mark Dixon is a tough, relentless New York City detective with a troubled past. Haunted by his father's criminal legacy, he is driven by a desire to enforce the law and prove himself as an honorable cop. His methods, however, are often brutal and unorthodox, putting him at odds with his superiors. When Dixon is assigned to investigate the murder of a wealthy gambler, he discovers a web of deceit involving the notorious gangster Tommy Scalise. During a confrontation with the murder suspect, Dixon accidentally kills him in self-defense. Panicking, he decides to cover up the incident, complicating the investigation and putting himself at greater risk.

As Dixon tries to clean up his mess, he becomes increasingly entangled in his own lies. He finds himself falling for the suspect's estranged wife, Morgan Taylor, but his growing feelings for her only heighten his internal conflict. Meanwhile, the case against Scalise tightens, and Dixon's superiors are closing in on the truth about his role in the death. Torn between love, duty, and fear of his past catching up with him, Dixon must navigate a treacherous path to redemption while trying to prevent Morgan from being hurt by his actions. The stakes rise as Dixon's decisions lead to a climactic confrontation that forces him to reconcile with his own morality and the consequences of his choices.