Before Damian could make up his mind, really he was only trying to chose between laughing or scoffing at Grayson's words, Talia folded her game.
She had figured out all the players in the field and now knew their worth. Grayson was the ace in the hole that she had not seen coming, but it did not mean she needed to call him on it. Doing so would only result in her loss. Damian was not ready to hear what she wanted to say to him, and she was not ready to say it too him. It was unfortunate, but she had been outplayed by the idealistic circus buffoon. That fact would chafe for a long time to come. Her only consolation was that in the end, it turned out how she wanted to, even if the means were not quite what she wanted.
Although Damian could not see it, Talia narrowed her eyes briefly before dipping her chin slightly. As if to say 'well played', or maybe she just had some dust blown in her eyes. She tightened her hold on Damian's shoulders for a moment, as tight as is she never wanted to left go. Leaning forward, she whispered something in his ear that made his expression turn sour. Then her she pulled her hands away altogether, leaving Damian feeling cold and with a strange sense of loss. He did not like it.
With a hand signal, her ninja left. She soon followed after them, but not before resting her hand very lightly on the top of Damian's head in farewell. Damian did not object vocally but his expression showed his feeling about the situation. Confusion, anger, resentment and hurt, all mixed in with a generous helping of wounded pride, determination, and fierce independence. Damian was not yet skilled at keeping his emotions off his face, not when the feelings were so contradictory and he so overwhelmed.
Even though he was thinking that it was not fair, he only said, "Brother? I supposed you are skilled enough to be related to me. Don't let it go to your head." He looked at Grayson in his usual condescending way. "Tell me you left someone competent in charge when you went on this harebrained search." If it was Brown or Drake, he'd throw a proper fit.