Sylvester Stallone is Frankie Delano, a mobster who is dismayed when his boss, Angelo Allighieri (Anthony Quinn, in his final role), is whacked. Fearing that Angelo's daughter, Jennifer (Madeleine Stowe) is next on the list, he rushes to her side to protect her. Adopted at a young age, Jennifer is unaware of her criminal heritage--until she is nearly killed by an assassin while in a department store. Finally knowing her true roots, she decides to get tough and attempt to beat her enemies at their own game.