Big Bad Killing Machine: Vengeance

By Xlibris US

This sequel, to the story of the Big Bad Killing Machine, continues the story of Colton Colby when he plays for the Green Bay Packers and his life during this period.

This book has a surprise ending, concluding whether he'll turn out good or bad, that the reader won't figure out until he finishes the book!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499052213

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Colton looked up at the street sign and noted he was driving on Lombardi Way. Lambeau field was located across the street. Anxiously, he parked the car close to the stadium, and walked through an open gate onto the football field. As he walked, he eyed the imposing stadium before him. Welcome to Titletown, U.S.A., Colton said to himself. His heart started to hammer. This was it, his chance for a new beginning. He just hoped he wouldn’t screw it up. In awe, Colton gazed at the regulation 53 x 100 yd. playing field, then the seats for 70,000 fans, most of them who owned stock in the team.

Colton was ready to walk onto the field to get the feel for it when he saw the Packer Cheerleaders going through their routines at the end of the field. Their shapely legs kicked out in perfect unison, boobs straining against their tight sweaters, hair flying. As Colton watched them, the old feeling of stalking and the thrill of it overtook him. He shoved the thought quickly from his mind, because he was determined to leave that part of his life behind him. Colton was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t hear footsteps approaching him.

So, here is our million dollar draft pick! a booming voice hollered from behind him. Colton turned around and was face to face with the largest black man he’d ever seen. The man’s shoulders looked as wide as a Mack truck and he stood at 6' 9", weighing 350 lbs.

Colton had no doubt in his mind that he was looking at the Ice Berg, in the flesh. H-hell-low, he stammered extending his hand. When Jack grasped Colton’s hand, he felt like it was in a vice. Then Jack cuffed him on the shoulder so hard Colton almost lost his balance. Welcome aboard, he grinned and Colton noticed he had two front teeth missing.

Colton found his voice, Thanks, he replied. I’m proud to be a part of the team.

You ain’t any part of the team yet boy, first you have to pay your dues.

I know, Colton said smugly, I know the drill.

No you don’t, Buddy Jackson smirked, You ain’t seen nuthin’ like the front line facin’ you, with every player weighing over two hundred fifty pounds. After a few scrimmages, the coach will tell you if you pass muster or not. He eyed Colton up and down. Better go lift some weights, toughen - up, you look out of shape to me. With that said Jack turned on his heel and walked away.

Colton watched the imposing figure leave, and then squared his shoulders. He vowed no one was going to intimidate him.

Since Colton’s next order of business was checking in at the administration offices, he followed an arrow leading there. He could also get a listing of available apartments there. Colton thought of joining a fitness club but then dismissed the idea. He was hot and sweaty and all he could think of was a cool shower and some R&R. He didn’t have to attend training camp for two days, so he had plenty of time to scout out the area and find an apartment.

CHAPTER 2

Before looking at the addresses he was given, Colton stopped at a gas station and bought a city map of the Green Bay area. Since he didn’t know the city from Adam, the map would be his Bible.

The first possibility was on Maple Street in an upscale neighborhood. He stopped the car in front of the home and after looking it over, decided to check it out. The house was a large colonial home, two- story, freshly painted white. It had black shutters and a bright red door. It was just the house Colton would love to own one day. It sported a white picket fence enclosing the back yard. Wistfully, he thought how Buck would like to run and play there. Colton shook off the memory and walked up the sidewalk to the front door.

He rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer. A plump, gray haired woman, with an apron tied around her waist answered. Hello, she greeted Colton. You must be here to see our rental apartment. He shook his head yes, while the woman peered intently at him. You’re Colton Colby, aren’t you? The guy the Packers drafted. Oh my, I have to call my husband!

Harry, she hollered, look who’s here to look at our apartment! An old man shuffled to the entry and his face broke into a smile, causing deep lines to appear at the corners of his mouth.

Lordy, Lordy, it’s the great new football player himself! He stuck out his wrinkled hand and Colton shook it. The woman sprang into action. Come, come, I’ll show you the apartment. I just know you’ll love it! she said, hurrying toward a steep set of stairs leading to the second floor. Colton and Harry followed in her wake. Colton noted that the stairs were directly across from the door to the landlord’s apartment which meant they would know whenever he came and went. Undoubtedly, they would stop him to talk no matter what the hour. He doubted if he would have any privacy at all. When Mrs. Banks opened the door to the upstairs apartment Colton found his excuse.

Pretending to be shocked, he declared with dismay, It’s unfurnished! I don’t have any furniture. I was looking for a place I could move right into.

Mrs. Banks’ face fell. Oh dear, she said regretfully. Maybe Harry and I could haunt re-sale shops and furnish it the way you’d want it. Harry nodded his head vigorously.

No, no, Colton said, that’s not necessary. I’ll look for an apartment closer to Lambeau. Then I could walk to and from practice.

Harry placed his hand on Colton’s arm. Please don’t say no, he pleaded. Since we lost our son, Emma and I are very lonely. Having you here would be a Godsend to us.

Colton gently removed Harry’s hand. I’m not going to rent your apartment, but I’ll tell you what, I’ll come over to visit you often and even bring you a football autographed by the entire team.

Emma pouted, but Harry grinned from ear to ear. That’s wonderful! he enthused.

I’ve got to get downstairs and finish my laundry, Mrs. Banks said leaving without looking at them.

Don’t worry about her, Harry said. She’ll get over it.

Colton hurriedly said Good-bye, and promised to stop by soon.

Harry was happy with that and said Good-bye, good- naturedly.

CHAPTER 3

When Colton returned to his car, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had heard how all the people in Green Bay held the Packer players in high esteem. He shook his head not knowing if he could handle all the attention. Right then and there, he decided he would rent an apartment in a large complex where he could hide out and relax.

After riding by several more places, Colton decided on a two story apartment building.

The apartment was beautifully furnished and had a galley kitchen, ample living room, 2 large bedrooms and 2 baths. The rent was steep, one-thousand dollars a month, but Colton reminded himself he was worth several million dollars. I can afford it, he said to himself.

Colton signed a six-month lease, and was given the key to his new apartment. Then he took his meager belongings upstairs via the elevator. He was glad this building had maid service. He could take a hot shower and sleep in a freshly made up bed. He felt at home already as he crawled in bed for the night. He fell asleep in minutes. It had been a long day.

In fact, Colton needed new wheels too. His car was 12 years old and beginning to nickel and dime him to death as something always needed to be repaired. He promised himself he would go car hunting the next day. First, he would check out the Toyota dealership. He’d always wanted a red Toyota convertible.

CHAPTER 4

Colton woke up bright and early. He got dressed and drove downtown, and had a quick breakfast at a diner on Main Street. He drove around for a while getting acquainted with the city. He passed by Chili Johns and decided he’d have some chili for dinner that night. As he crossed the bridge, he spotted the Toyota dealer, pulled into the lot and got out of the car to check out the 2014, models. A smiling salesman approached him then did a double take. Hello, he said to Colton, putting his hand out to shake his, Welcome, to Green Bay, he said jovially, Home of the frozen tundra. A Southern boy like yourself should probably wear long johns under your uniform! The man grew serious, asking, What can I do for you?

Colton hated pushy salesman but this guy seemed okay. I’d like a convertible, preferably red, loaded.

The salesman rubbed his hands together. Have I got a sweet little car for you! Come along, I’ll show you.

The awesome, red car in the window display was just what Colton wanted. It was a sports-car appropriate for a big-time football star. For a minute he felt omnipotent, like he was King of the earth. He told himself, he was a human being, not any more special than anyone else. Except that he could play football, better than most guys could. Telling himself that he deserved such a special car, Colton drove it away from the dealership feeling great and exceptionally pleased with his purchase.

He would have preferred a longer drive, but instead he drove down Elmore Street, to King’s Gym where he purchased a membership, and worked out for forty-five minutes. When he headed for the shower, sweating heavily, a young, muscular man asked for his autograph. Smiling, Colton obliged with chagrin, thinking that when you were a football player in Green Bay, there was no- where to hide. Colton shook his head. He was learning that the people in central Wisconsin loved their Packers!

CHAPTER 5

He wished there wasn’t a press conference that night introducing him to the public. A reporter from ABCTV Channel 4 was in attendance, Coach Walner and the owners of the Packers, and a representative from WXSU radio station and the Green Bay Gazette was there.

Colton was nervous when he stood at the podium with the coach. I’m certain our third round draft pick, Colton Colby is already known to you. We are anxious to have him in the position of line-backer for the team. Colton, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Colton cleared his throat. As you probably know, I graduated from Valparaiso University, where in my senior year we won the Indiana State championship. (A smattering of applause filled the room.) Relaxed now, Colton continued. I hail from Florida and am the only son of Drew Colby and my deceased mother Kathy. I have always loved football, since I was a young boy. I began playing in Junior High, and then played first string on the senior football team and that was the start of a great career at Valparaiso. I’m proud to be associated with the Packers and I am looking forward to playing in the beautiful city of Green Bay. He finished with some humor saying, That is, if I can get used to playing in the snow and ice! Everyone in the room laughed.

Coach Walner patted Colton on the back and said, We’re proud to have you on our team. I wish you luck, but I know you don’t need it.

Just like that, the interview was over and Colton felt a sense of relief that he’d gotten through it with no major screw up. He was so wired he decided to stop for a beer to settle down. Little did he know that the bar was a Packer hangout, but he found out as soon as he opened up the door. He spotted Jackson right away, standing with Bryan and Riske, whom Carlton knew by their pictures. A bevy of girls of all ages swarmed around them, laughing and flirting. Even the married players looked like they were enjoying the attention.

When the juke-box played a slow, sexy number, one by one a player picked out a girl to dance with. As Colton watched all the couples dance, they rubbed their bodies against each other, so close, one couldn’t put a thread between them.

He saw some girls he thought were cheerleaders walk into the bar. They all wore short mini-skirts that barely covered their behinds and swung their backsides as they walked. All of the girls wore their hair long and straight. Most had bangs that almost covered their eyes.

Colton’s verbatim began to throb and he felt the old feeling of lust began to overtake him. He shrugged it off and for something to divert his attention walked to the bar and spoke to a girl sitting alone. She was dressed in a red cable-knit sweater and a slim gray skirt that fell to her knees. She wore a pair of tortoise shell glasses. Her ash blonde hair was tied back with a red plaid ribbon. Colton thought she looked like a girl next door would look, so he considered her harmless. Hi, he said when he approached her. The bar stool next to her was empty, so he sat down on it.

Hi, the girl answered softly. Colton was surprised that she possessed such a quiet but melodic voice.

I’m Colton Colby, he explained.

I know, I saw you on TV earlier, she said as a matter of fact. Unlike the others he had met, she said her name in a normal tone of voice as she would with any stranger. Colton felt a huge disappointment as he realized he was beginning to enjoy the adulation and being in the spot- light. I’m Mary Lou Gibbons, she said and smiled showing a mouth full of braces. As she spoke her lip caught on the silver metal and she looked embarrassed. I’m sorry, she murmured. That happens to me once in a while, but usually when I’m eating.

That’s O.K., Colton replied, but it really wasn’t. He looked over to where the cheerleaders were sitting, animated, eyes sparkling, vying with the other girls to get a particular Packers attention.

Mary Lou was used to keeping to herself and loved the feeling of anonymity. On impulse, Colton asked, Have you eaten yet?

I was doing my homework and completely forgot about eating, she answered.

Colton looked her up and down, You sure don’t look like it, he said, thinking her bulky sweater probably hid some spectacular breasts.

I’m afraid I do that often. Mary Lou said defiantly, I know what you’re thinking, but what you see is what you get. Double A, is what most women in my family wears. Her words were spoken firmly, in a voice challenging Colton to answer. He couldn’t think of anything to say and Mary Lou could see he was frustrated. Quickly, she changed the subject. Were you going to ask me to have dinner with you?"

Colton looked at her, open- mouthed. He wondered how he’d gotten tied up with such a candid woman. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the other players laughing and pointing a finger at him. Colton knew he was the object of their amusement. He took Mary Lou by the arm and propelled her toward the door. She stumbled along with him as Jackson howled and slapped his thigh.

I see you’ve met Miss Iceberg, he hollered, she bites like a Cobra, so keep your hands at home. Colton slammed the door to shut out their voices and then stopped dead. He suddenly realized he felt sorry for the girl.

Would you like to go to Chili John’s for a bite to eat? he asked.

Mary Lou looked at him in horror. That stuff will burn your insides. Yuck, she exclaimed as she walked away.

Colton felt like he’d been slapped in the face. For a minute he thought about following her and teaching her a lesson, but he stopped himself. She’s just a bitch, he thought, Not worth my new status. Colton half-jogged, half-walked to his car. He got in and roared the engine.

As he drove away, he passed Mary Lou slowly walking home. Startled, he noticed her shoulders shaking and was positive she was crying. Colton, in spite of himself, felt a kind of love for her How could I have gotten myself into such a mess? he asked himself. "From here on in, I’ll be part