Chicago, 1938. Jules Tivoli, a 17-year-old Italian immigrant, finds his life turned upside down when he crosses paths with Adam Czar, an older, charismatic, and infuriating member of the local Mafia. Jules is attracted to him, and Adam, seduced by the young man's nerve, decides to take him under his wing. At first self-effacing, Jules climbs the ranks to become an important member of the Mafia. Little by little, he begins to realize that Adam takes a very dim view of his young lover's ascendancy over him...