Working as lowly criminal "muscle," Christian aspires to be so much more. Yet, despite his ambitions, mob boss Lino refuses to promote him. When trouble strikes, an unrelenting pain in Christian's hands proves to hide a deeper meaning.

Weakened by the pain in his hands, Christian resorts to questionable tactics to get his job done. Meanwhile, Vatican postulator Matteo catches wind about Christian's hands and begins to sniff around.

Christian finds himself banished from the city and quickly lands in hot water. But after he finds help in an unexpected place, Christian decides to investigate his hands further. Meanwhile, Matteo zeroes in on Christian.

An interaction with Lino's wife, Anna, leaves Christian fearing the worst-and sends him on the run. But all is not as he suspects, and Lino makes Christian a surprising offer. Meanwhile, Matteo makes an important discovery.

Matteo's investigation leads him to a mysterious priest named Klaus. News of Christian's abilities begins to spread-leading to a shift in Lino's opinion. But when he assigns Christian a dangerous task-not all goes according to plan.

Christian grows fearful of Lino's retribution. But when a truce is extended, Christian is warned away from taking Lino's deal-with serious consequences. Matteo gets the information he's been after, and must make a choice-but at what cost?