The telenovela focuses on Tony Castellamare, a Brazilian citizen of Italian origin living in [[Palermo]]. He maintains the image of a merchant exporter, but is actually the leader of the [[Sicily|Sicilian]] [[Narcotic|drug]] [[Sicilian Mafia|mafiaMafia]]. After an attack aimed at him kills his wife Marina and their twin daughters, Tony returns to [[São Paulo]] seeking revenge, at the same time he is investigated by the uncorruptible [[Federal Police Department|federal police]] officer Teolônio "Téo" Meira.<ref>{{in lang|pt}} [http://www.rederecord.com.br/imprensa/noticias.asp?n=10064 Information about ''Poder Paralelo'' on Rede Record pressroom site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211072052/http://www.rederecord.com.br/imprensa/noticias.asp?n=10064 |date=2014-12-11 }}. Accessed April 13, 2009.</ref>
