[ A nasty blow, though fortunately not enough to crack his skull open. Or cause a concussion.

But at that statement ... Miles swallows. ]

No. She fought like a wildcat. I tried to give her an opportunity, but - she had to defend me. [ Miserably. ] I probably needed it. That woman kept kicking me in the ribs.

[ He could very easily have died without Sonia's intervention, and he knows it. A wonder that he wasn't seriously injured. ]