Jimmy's plan to help his brother Kevin out of gambling debt with a truckload of stolen designer shirts backfires, forcing the two to kidnap local mob boss Sal Minnetta's nephew Louie. When Sal's right-hand-man Nicky Cottero decides to take the matters into his own hands, it's up to Tommy, the brainy one of the Donnelly brothers, to choose between fighting for his family and life as an honest man.

As the Donnellys learn Sean's condition, Jimmy stews in a holding cell. Tommy finds comfort in Jenny Reilly. Nicky Cottero seizes control of the Italian mob.